contents

"Come here, Honor." Judd's order was quiet. It was a small thing, this business of ordering her to
cross the room and accompany him, but Honor sensed immediately that he was doing it
deliberately. Judd was establishing the rules, making it clear that he was in charge. He probably
thought that if he took a firm enough position, she would simply give up and stop fighting him.
Didn't he realize that when you were fighting for your life, you didn't play by anyone else's rules?
Unnamed
Unnamed
If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It
was reported as "unsold and destroyed" to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher
has received any payment for this "stripped book." ISBN 0-373-77074-X RAVEN'S PREY
Copyright 1983 by Jayne Ann Krentz All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the
reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic,
mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying
and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written
permission of the publisher. Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills,
Ontario M3B 3K9, Canada. All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination
of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are
not even distantly inspired by any individual known or
For Charlene Lee Krentz, who's too young yet to read, and who is therefore one of my favorite critics.
And for her parents, Mike and Vanessa.
Contents CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER
CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER ONE Perhaps he was merely an adventuresome tourist who had drifted into the obscure
little Mexican town in search of some action. Perhaps he had wandered into the cantina for the
same reason she had: to get a bite to eat and have a bottle of the local beer. Perhaps he was a
perfectly innocuous male who, when he realized there was another North American in the cantina,
would come over to her table to chat. Then again, perhaps he was her executioner. My God, Honor
Knight thought bitterly, I'm really getting paranoid. She forced down another swallow of the robust
beer she had been nursing for the last hour and deliberately looked away from the line of men who
were standing and leaning with varying degrees of casualness against the bar. That was all she
needed now, she chastised herself. She mustn't lose her grip on reality. She must not succumb to
genuine paranoia or life would become intolerable. She really would go out of her mind with fear.
But the image of the stranger as he h
CHAPTER TWO The battle was over almost before it had begun, and if she'd been thinking
coherently in those first few seconds of anger and panic, Honor would have realized there could
be only one ending. But logical thought was not what was driving her as she launched herself at
Judd Raven. And because she was beyond realizing the hopelessness of the attack, she was able to
carry it further than it normally would have gone. Raven didn't fight back, which was the one thing
that would have ended it quickly. Given his superior size and strength he could have knocked her
sprawling with a couple of cuffs. Instead he seemed to absorb the brunt of her fury, catching her
wrists so that she couldn't get at his eyes, but otherwise not seeking to retaliate. "Calm down, you

little hellcat," he grunted as she tried to knee him. He barely managed to deflect die blow, shifting
his body so that she was trapped beneath him. "Honor, settle down! This isn't going to do any good
and you know it!" But she r
CHAPTER THREE The familiar knock of the neighborhood boy who brought her fresh eggs three
times a week brought Honor out of her restless sleep the next morning. As she struggled awake she
automatically glanced across the room. The bedding Judd had been using during the night was
neatly folded and stashed on the crate that served as an end table. From the tiny bathroom she
could hear the sound of running water. He must be shaving, Honor decided, pulling herself out of
bed and padding barefoot across the floor to open the door. "Buenos dias, Paco. Qu tal?" Judd
might have been right about her Spanish being lousy but it had been improving daily in this land of
strangers who spoke no English. The small, black-haired boy on the front step grinned up at her
and shyly handed her the carton of eggs. "I am fine," he answered formally in Spanish,
remembering to slow down so that she could understand him. "I've brought your eggs."
"Wonderful. I'll go and get the money." Honor didn't kid herself
CHAPTER FOUR "I feel like the Pied Piper," Judd remarked laconically an hour later as he opened
the door of Honor's small cottage and stepped out into the street. From out of nowhere the children
began to materialize behind him as Judd walked Honor toward the Cessna at the far end of the
village. The little ones must have been waiting and watching ever since young Paco had spread the
news about the promised treat. In spite of her own predicament Honor felt a tug on her emotions.
"These children have so little," she murmured as the youngsters flocked around. "Getting to sit
inside an airplane will probably be the highlight of the year for a lot of them " Judd eyed the two
or three barefoot kids who were vying to catch hold of Honor's hand. "I wish..." he began and then
shrugged. "Wish what?" Honor prompted. "Oh, nothing. It would have been nice to have enough
fuel to give them all a ride," he concluded. "But I don't, so that's that." "Feel free to use your fuel
on these kids," Honor sho
CHAPTER FIVE Two days later Honor's hopeful determination to create a bond between herself and
Judd was faltering badly. The problem, she told herself in disgust, was that the man was a slow
learner. An emotional underachiever. Furthermore, unless he was answering a direct question his
conversation tended to be rather limited. The one exception was when she asked him questions
about his flying. He opened up slowly but surely on that topic. Unfortunately it wasn't a topic that
furthered her goal. Oh, she was making progress on one front. As she had discovered that
afternoon at the stream, Judd could be provoked into something resembling playfulness. It was, she
freely admitted, somewhat like trying to play with an untamed, unpredictable wild creature, but it
was a form of genuine playfulness. He never actually laughed, but once or twice a smile had
actually touched his mouth and his eyes. It was as if he himself wasn't very certain of his own
emotional state on those occasions when she
CHAPTER SIX Judd saw the sudden whiteness of her cheeks and he started toward the bed, an
uneasy feeling motivating him. He couldn't forget that scar on her wrist. Honor Knight appeared to
be prone to the melodramatic and he didn't want any complications in his plans this morning.
"Honor!" he snapped sharply. She looked up at him, hazel eyes huge with disbelief and pain. "Last
night meant nothing at all to you, did it?" she whispered. Was that all that was wrong? Judd almost
smiled in relief. "Honey, last night was wonderful and you know it. I realize you probably want a
little cuddling this morning, that's natural. But there just isn't time. I've got plans" "A little
cuddling!" She looked utterly appalled. "I don't want a little cuddling! I want a little trust! So last
night was wonderful, was it? By that I take it you mean I was a good lay?" "Honor." He frowned,

uncertain about where all this was leading but knowing he was going to have to put a stop to it
before it turned into" som
CHAPTER SEVEN The apartment in Phoenix had never looked more inviting. Honor turned the key
in the lock, knowing a vast sense of relief at being home. There had been too many lonely nights of
wondering if she would ever be able to return. Her rakish little Audi was still parked sedately in
the drive where she had left it that morning so long ago. Honor wondered if the battery still
functioned. The inside of the spacious one-bedroom apartment was exactly as she had left it,
except, she noted wryly, all her plants had died. No, the little collection of exotic cacti in the
corner of the window appeared to have survived. She walked across the white carpet to examine
the array of thorny plants. Other man the dead house plants, everything looked fine, in fact It was
hard to believe that nothing in her home had changed, when she herself had been through so much.
The sophisticated yet softly romantic decor looked as it always had. The meandering peach velvet
sofa, which formed an S shape in fr
CHAPTER EIGHT His voice was still even, but his words terrified her. "You can't run and hide from
me, Honor. I'm the man who can find you in the heart of Mexico. I found you here in Phoenix. And
I'd have found you regardless of where you decided to run tonight." "Damn you, Judd! You have no
right to terrorize me like this! I'll call Maddock! I'll call the police, I swear it. Leave me alone.
You've done all the damage you're going to do in my life!" "What about the damage you've done to
mine?" he startled her by asking. He was only a couple of feet away. In another moment he would
be able to put out his hand and touch her. Honor stepped back into the doorway. "What on earth
are you talking about?" she breathed, her eyes widening. "Never mind," he muttered abruptly. "We
can talk this all out later. Right now I'm in a hurry. Have you got everything you'll need?" He came
to a halt in front of her and gestured at the suitcase in her hand. "Need for what?" She glared at him
warily. "For a va
CHAPTER NINE The next morning wariness replaced the confusion Honor had been feeling during
the night. It was an innate, feminine caution and it was again tinged with resentment. But as she
climbed out of bed and padded over to the window a lot of the feelings of anger were directed at
herself. How could she have been so weak as to let herself be seduced by Judd Raven a second
time? There wasn't another man on the face of the earth who could have managed to do that to her!
What was it about this one? Several birds had landed in the courtyard garden and in the bright,
early-morning light they hopped cheerfully about having breakfast. These were cute little
creatures, though, not menacing birds of prey. They feasted on berries and seeds and warbled
sweetly. If a raven had appeared in their midst they would have scattered in a flash. Her mouth
curving wryly, Honor turned away from the window and started toward the bath. She could feel
the memory of the night imprinted on her body. There w
CHAPTER TEN She loved him. Honor cautiously absorbed the information into her system as if i
were a potentially dangerous narcotic. She loved Judd Raven. She'd probably been in love with
him ever since that first time they had slept together in Mexico. Perhaps earlier. The knowledge
explained so much: why she had been so angry the morning he had announced he was taking her
back to the States, her strange sense of vulnerability around him, and the unbelievable gladness she
had experienced when he did something as simple as sharing her laughter. "Honor?" Judd's
questioning voice interrupted her thoughts as they drove back down the road from the airfield.
"Hmmmm?" The warm wind whipped her hair as the jeep swept along the highway. She didn't
look at him. "What are you thinking? You've been awfully quiet for a while," he complained
gruffly. "Are you still upset about the flying lesson?" he added uneasily. "No. I was thinking of

something else," she responded evenly. "I was thinking about

CHAPTER ELEVEN "Fifty thousand?" Honor heard Judd repeat the figure as he calmly turned and
closed the door. Then he lounged back against it, his arms folded across his chest, midnight eyes
focused on the handsome face of his uninvited visitor. Honor watched the two men as if she were a
rabbit in the presence of two predators: a raven and a snake. She eyed Nick Prager's wellgroomed brown hair, expensive business suit and smooth countenance, and wondered how she
could ever have dated the snake. At least with the raven you knew right where you stood. "You
heard right, Raven. Fifty thousand." Nick smiled with chilling satisfaction. The hand holding the
gun never wavered. "Interested?" Judd didn't move. "You have the money on you?" Nick patted a
small suitcase standing beside the chair in which he was sitting. "Right here." "How far into
Mexico?" "Some place I can catch a commercial jet liner," Nick said easily. "The Mexican
authorities won't be on the look out for me. Once I get back to
CHAPTER TWELVE Less than a week later Honor woke up to find herself again in bed and again in
Mexico. She leaned back against the pillows and surveyed the luxurious resort-hotel suite. This
was no shack in a poor village. It was an elegant hotel on the tip of Baja. And she was a married
woman on her honeymoon. Judd had been very insistent on marriage. "I'm not going to spend the
rest of my life being accused of kidnapping," he had declared forcefully. "But, darling, you're so
good at it," Honor had replied blithely. "Oh, well, at least this will give me a certain status over
your plane, won't it? I mean, you can't marry an airplane under the laws of the state of New
Mexico." "I wonder if New Mexico ever got around to outlawing wife-beating?" Judd had mused.
Honor was remembering that remark when the door to the bathroom opened and her husband
emerged wearing only a towel rather carelessly knotted around his lean hips. "What are you
laughing at?" he demanded. His eyes moved over her as

Raven's Prey by Stephanie James (Jayne Ann Krentz)

Stephanie James

Come here, Honor.

Judds order was quiet.
It was a small thing, this business of ordering her to cross the room and accompany him, but Honor
sensed immediately that he was doing it deliberately. Judd was establishing the rules, making it clear
that he was in charge. He probably thought that if he took a firm enough position, she would simply
give up and stop fighting him.
Didnt he realize that when you were fighting for your life, you didnt play by anyone elses rules?

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It
was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has
received any payment for this stripped book.

ISBN 0-373-77074-X
RAVENS PREY
Copyright 1983 by Jayne Ann Krentz
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in
whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter
invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or
retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Harlequin Enterprises
Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario M3B 3K9, Canada.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no
relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired
by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with are registered in the United
States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.HQNBooks.com
Printed in U.S.A.

For Charlene Lee Krentz, whos too young yet to read, and who is therefore one of my favorite
critics. And for her parents, Mike and Vanessa.

Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER ONE

Perhaps he was merely an adventuresome tourist who had drifted into the obscure little Mexican town
in search of some action. Perhaps he had wandered into the cantina for the same reason she had: to get
a bite to eat and have a bottle of the local beer. Perhaps he was a perfectly innocuous male who,
when he realized there was another North American in the cantina, would come over to her table to
chat.
Then again, perhaps he was her executioner.
My God, Honor Knight thought bitterly, Im really getting paranoid. She forced down another
swallow of the robust beer she had been nursing for the last hour and deliberately looked away from
the line of men who were standing and leaning with varying degrees of casualness against the bar.
That was all she needed now, she chastised herself. She mustnt lose her grip on reality. She must not
succumb to genuine paranoia or life would become intolerable. She really would go out of her mind
with fear.
But the image of the stranger as he hooked a booted foot over the bottom rung of the bar would not be
banished simply because she chose to look away. It was natural that he would stand out in this crowd,
Honor assured herself. He was the only other gringo in the room besides herself. Standing at the bar,
even lounging against it on one elbow as he was, he topped the Mexican men around him by several
inches in most cases.
And while the other men were dressed in the dusty, loose-fitting trousers and shirts of poor, hardworking farmers, the stranger was dark and hard and lean in a pair of black jeans and a black cotton
shirt.
His clothes werent the only things that were dark about him and that made him seem a part of the
shadowy night outside. In the brief glance she had allowed herself, Honor had been aware of the deep
black shade of his hair. There were subtle highlights of iron-gray in the heavy pelt which indicated
the stranger at the bar would soon be staring his fortieth birthday in the face.
Even without the iron in his hair Honor would have been able to guess his age from the unforgiving
hardness of his features. Uneasily she allowed her eyes to slide once again over his profile.
He had ordered tequila, not beer, she realized, watching from her sheltered table as he sipped the
clear liquid in the small glass he held. How much longer before his roving gaze discovered her
against the back wall? She hadnt yet confronted that gaze directly and, based on what shed seen of
the rest of him, Honor didnt particularly want to do so. There was a ruthless predatory quality about
this man, which disturbed her on several levels. It was there in the hawkish nose, the grimly set mouth

and the fiercely etched lines of his face. Somehow he seemed aloof and coldly removed from the
scene around him, as if he didnt particularly need human companionship.
Determinedly Honor picked up her fork and took another bite of the corn tamale she had been eating
when the newcomer had walked through the door a few minutes earlier. There was nothing to fear,
she told herself firmly. After all, she thought on a note of half-hysterical humor, shed seen plenty of
pictures of professional hit men and none of them had ever been wearing jeans and boots! They
always seemed to be attired in suits that bulged in the wrong places, and they tended to speak in East
Coast accents. Not that shed heard the stranger when hed ordered his tequila, but somehow Honor
didnt think he would have an eastern accent. More likely a southwestern drawl.
No, she wasnt going to give in to the lure of paranoia. She had to keep a realistic perspective on her
present situation or she would become a gibbering idiot! Honor swallowed another sip of the warm
beer and resolved to keep her head. It was the only way to survive.
The stranger was probably from Texas or Arizona. Perhaps he had business here in this Mexican
village or perhaps hed merely come south looking for some amusement. One way or another he
wasnt a threat to her. He couldnt be!
And then she glanced up again and found his night-dark gaze on her.
For an instant everything in the smoky, too-warm cantina seemed to freeze, including Honors insides.
She had known instinctively that she didnt want to meet his eyes directly but instinct hadnt prepared
her for the devastating experience when it finally did occur.
She had been half expecting a predatory sensuality in those eyes, Honor realized as her throat went
dry. Casual, masculine lust would have fit with the man and the scene in which he found himself.
After all, men who wandered into smoke-filled taverns the world over were usually looking for
liquor and a willing woman. But there was no sign of even the most superficial desire in his gaze.
If there was no sensuality in his eyes, neither was there any other emotion she could name. No
curiosity, no dislike, no anger, no expectation, no friendliness, no resentment, no humor, nothing. Just
the chilling, totally self-contained, nonreflective gleam of a beast of prey. Honor had never seen such
a total lack of emotion in another human being in her entire life. In a very real sense it was far more
frightening than if the man had simply pulled a gun and aimed it at her.
Then he picked up his glass of tequila and started toward her. In that moment she realized he knew
exactly who she was. The panic threatened to choke her. It welled up from the pit of her stomach and
literally immobilized her limbs. Desperately she fought to keep it under control. It was one feeling
that definitely would not aid her now. Unfortunately she couldnt think of anything that would help
her. She had no choice but to play out her role and pray that the presence of so many local
townspeople there in the cantina would lend some protection. Did professional killers have the cold,
emotionless eyes of a hawk? It seemed far too likely that they did.
Honor Knight. Her name was a statement, an identification, not a question, and there was a slight
southwestern drawl in the low, gravelly intonation of his voice. The dark stranger sat down across

from her without bothering with the formality of asking permission. He moved with an easy, smoothly
coordinated energy which suggested controlled strength and physical prowess.
When Honor made no response, continuing to sit utterly still staring at him, the man sipped again at
his tequila and then asked calmly, Are you going to make this easy on yourself or are we going to do
things the hard way?
He wasnt armed, Honor told herself frantically. At least not with a gun. It would have bulged
somewhere against the fabric of the sleek-fitting jeans and shirt, wouldnt it? Perhaps he used a knife?
Or perhaps her imagination had truly run amok. Maybe he wasnt there to kill her. Above all else she
must keep her head and not panic.
Knowing that her life depended on staying calm, Honor made herself exchange a level glance with the
man across the table. She stifled a shiver as the impenetrable darkness of his gaze met hers. Im
sorry, she began stiffly, but you must have mistaken me for someone else. I dont know you and I
dont know who it is you think I am but I would appreciate it if you would leave me alone. She tried
to make her voice as cold as his eyes.
He watched her silently for a moment and she could almost feel him assessing and cataloging the sum
of her features. Good God, how detailed a description had he been given? Could she bluff her way
through this? After all, there was nothing all that remarkable about her looks, was there?
She was twenty-nine, but age could be deceptive in a woman hovering between her twenties and her
thirties, especially to a man. Her hair was a dark amber brown, but he would probably have been told
she was simply a brunette. There were a lot of brunettes in the world, especially in Mexico. And
hazel eyes were surely almost as common? Dressed as she was in jeans and a white shirt, her slender
figure with its small breasts and gently flaring hips must have appeared similar to the body shapes of
countless other women in the world.
Honor Knight, the man said again and then reached into his shirt pocket and drew out a color
photograph. Deliberately he placed it on the table between them, and then he waited. Honor went
even colder.
In helpless fascination she stared down at the picture of herself. There, caught by the cameras eye,
were all the elements that were so hard to describe verbally, the elements that went together to make
each human being distinctive and unique. In her case that meant not just hazel eyes, but wide,
intelligent eyes of a complex shade somewhere between green and gold. It meant not just brunette hair
but a heavy, amber mane which, although she had recently cut it to shoulder length, still had a
characteristic wave even when worn in a clip at the nape of her neck as it was that evening. It meant a
mouth that was soft and, in the photo, smiling with feminine warmth. It meant a faintly tip-tilted nose,
a proud lift to the chin. It meant no real beauty in the accepted sense but rather an impression of
sensitivity, intelligence and a hint of vulnerability.
It meant, Honor realized, disaster. The man could be in no doubt whatsoever that he had found the
right woman. Slowly she lifted her eyes from the damning photograph.

There is also a scar, the stranger went on coolly, on the left wrist. He reached across the table
and caught her hand before she could hide i t in her lap. A mark left over from a botched suicide
attempt, Im told.
She flinched as he captured her hand and exposed the delicate skin on the inside of her wrist. The
angry red scar was clearly visible, even in the smoky light.
A rather badly handled effort, the man observed, his touch remote and dispassionate. You either
didnt want to do a good job or else you must have used a pretty dull knife. He released her hand and
Honor shoved her fingers into her lap to hide the trembling in them. My guess is you probably didnt
set out to really take your own life. You probably just used the attempt as a means of getting the kind
of attention you seem to need.
Who are you? Honor whispered.
Im the man whos been sent to bring you home, he said quietly, lifting his tequila glass again. The
dark, unfathomable eyes went over her stark expression with a total lack of sympathy or any other
emotion. My name is Judd Raven.
Raven. The name fit him, Honor thought bitterly. A bird of prey. A bird of menace. That explained the
eyes, the lack of emotion. The connotations of danger and ill fate that surrounded the word raven
were not lost on her. In her lap her nails began to eat into the palm of her hand, but her chin stayed
proudly lifted.
Home? she questioned grimly. There was some cause for hope, she told herself. If he had been sent
to fetch her rather than to kill her she still had some chance.
Your father and brother are damned worried about you, Raven said musingly. But, then, I suppose
you know that, dont you? Thats why youre here in the first place.
Her father and brother? How did they know where I was?
They dont. Not precisely. They only knew the general region of Mexico into which you
disappeared. They dont speak Spanish themselves so they realized they didnt have much chance of
tracing you. Thats why they hired me. Ive been tracking you for almost a week. Youre a foreigner
in this country and people remembered the nice gringa with the big hazel eyes and the lousy Spanish.
It took some legwork but here I am.
My father and brother, Honor said carefully, sent you to bring me home?
He raised his glass in mocking acknowledgment of her apparent slow-wittedness. Are you
disappointed? Would you rather one of them had come with me to look for you? Afraid you wont get
as much comfort and attention from me as you would from them?
No!
Whats the matter, Honor? Youve achieved almost everything you wanted, havent you? A lot of

time and worry has been spent on you and thats the main thing you were after, wasnt it? This little
adventure worked even better than the suicide attempt.
She ignored that, leaning forward to stare at him with wide, searching eyes. Just tell me the truth.
Have you really been sent to bring me home or have you come to kill me?
He considered the question. What do you think?
She blinked and then sat back in her chair, taking in a deep, steadying breath. I think that if youd
come to kill me Id probably be dead by now. Which was the truth, she realized. This man wouldnt
sit around chatting with his target. Hed get the job over with the efficient cruelty of a hunting bird.
Raven watched the play of emotion across her tightly drawn features. There was a long silence and
then he said quietly, They told me you had a hell of an imagination. That you were borderline
paranoid, according to your doctor.
Honors vulnerable mouth twisted. I can just imagine what they told you. She stared down at her
nearly empty bottle of beer. She had to think had to find some logical way of dealing with this
situation. But it had been almost impossible lately to think logically at all. There had been too much
fear and her imagination had been so damn active.
That wonderful, vividly romantic imagination that had always set her apart from her practical,
restrained, disapproving family had proven to have a dark side, one which was capable of painting
her dreams with nightmarish colors and her daytime thoughts with fear.
Well, there was no point dwelling on that now. At the moment she had to force herself to think very
pragmatically indeed. Judd Raven, apparently, was only a hired hand. Or was he merely allowing her
to think that so she wouldnt complicate matters by running screaming through the village? Do you
always believe everything youre told, Mr. Raven?
No. Sometimes I dont believe anything Im told.
That sounds as if you might be suffering from a bit of paranoia yourself! she challenged wryly.
Ive always felt that a certain degree of paranoia was a useful survival trait, he allowed calmly.
Keeps a man alert.
Or a woman.
But in this case, he continued easily, it doesnt much matter what I believe. Im just being paid to
do a job. I learned a long time ago that its bad policy to ask too many unnecessary questions.
She bit her lip and watched him broodingly. What if I said I dont want to return to the States, Mr.
Raven?
Id say you dont have a whole hell of a lot of choice

If he was simply an innocent employee sent to fetch her back, perhaps she could reason with him,
Honor told herself resolutely. He might have a policy of not asking questions because he didnt
always like the answers. If he cared about answers there might be a chance that he still retained some
semblance of a conscience. And if there was a small streak of morality or honor in him somewhere
she might be able to appeal to it It was her only hope.
Mr. Raven, I am twenty-nine years old. I am not a runaway child. I have the right to go where I
please and at the moment I choose to stay here in Mexico. You have no right to try to take me back to
the States.
I think, he said very politely, that you might as well call me Judd. Something tells me were going
to get to know each other fairly well tonight.
Her sense of shock was plain. There was no point in hiding it. Whats that supposed to mean? she
bit out, a new kind of fear rising beneath the old, familiar variety she had been living with for so long.
There was still no sign of masculine desire in those dark eyes but perhaps this mans emotions were
so cold that even lust took the form of a chilled passion instead of a heated one. The thought was
frightening.
It means, he said calmly, that the dirt road I had to use for a landing strip on the other side of the
village isnt going to work as a runway at night. Im not about to risk my neck or my plane trying to
take off without being able to see a damn thing. Well leave in the morning. So Ill be spending the
night with you.
Honor shook her head dazedly. No. Im not going to leave with you in the morning and Im not going
to spend the night with you. Get out of here, Judd Raven. You dont know what youve gotten yourself
involved in. You have no conception of the size of the mess. Get out while you still can. And leave
me behind!
I dont buy the paranoia act. Your father and brother might believe it and God knows a professional
shrink will believe almost anything a patient wants him to believe. But Im just a hardworking guy
whos seen neurotic, spoiled females before. What you probably needed instead of a psychiatrist
during your formative years was the application of your fathers belt to your backside. But thats his
problem. Ive only been hired to take you home, not straighten out your self-centered, childish
approach to life. His mouth kicked upward at the corners in a grimly amused expression. It was the
first sign of any kind of emotion Honor had seen in him and she didnt like it. If I had been hired to
straighten you out, I would have charged a hell of a lot more for the job than Im going to get just to
fly you home!
Just how much are you being paid to kidnap me?
Kidnap is a strong word, he noted mildly.
Its the only word that applies, given the fact that Im not going to go with you willingly! she shot
back.

A couple of thousand plus expenses. He gave her the answer to her initial question and overlooked
the accusation that had followed.
A couple of thousand! Is that all? Was that all a human life was worth these days? But then he
hadnt been paid to kill her, only to deliver her to the executioners. What kind of a man are you to do
this sort of thing for a living? she hissed.
The kind of man who works for a living. He appeared totally unperturbed by the taunt. Was there
any way of getting through that wall of indifference? Could anything reach this man?
Money. If he was doing this for money perhaps that was the way to get through to him. A few crucial
seconds ticked past as Honor considered the possibility. A couple of thousand she repeated
carefully. He nodded in polite agreement, saying nothing. A couple of thousand plus expenses,
Honor went on, striving to sound as cool and cynical as he did. Ill double that if youll just go away
and leave me here.
He was silent for a long moment and she couldnt even begin to tell what he was thinking. They told
me you probably had some money with you, he finally said.
Everything that was in my bank account she assured him quickly, daring to let a spark of hope
ignite. All in cash.
And all belonging to your father, Raven concluded bluntly. Hell, lady, at your age dont you think
its time you started working for a living instead of sponging off your family? Maybe if you went
home and got a job you could learn a little self-discipline, start putting your life in order. He
sounded as if the suggested therapy was only of academic interest to him. Or maybe what you need is
marriage to a man who wont let you get away with playing your stupid head games. Its obvious your
father has handled you all wrong but the right kind of husband might be able to undo some of the
damage and make an adult woman out of you.
Oh, for Gods sake! she gasped, struggling against the defeating knowledge that she didnt know
how to deal with Judd Raven. So much depended on finding the key to this stranger and there was so
little time. Are you interested in my offer or not?
He shook his head briefly. Not. Dont look so crushed. It was a good try. Its just that I already have
a job and accepting your offer would have created a definite conflict of interest, dont you think?
Ill triple the offer! she tried desperately.
Forget it. Finish your meal and lets go to your place. Weve got a long flight ahead of us in the
morning and I want to get some sleep. He downed the last of the tequila and sat waiting with the
patience of a hunter.
I seem to have lost my appetite. Listen to me, Judd Raven. If you wont accept my money because
you feel it would put you in conflict with my fathers offer then you must have some sort of business
ethics

Business ethics sounds like a fancy term for holding up my end of a deal, he drawled, that faint,
frightening amusement lacing his words. You can call it what you want, but doing the job Ive agreed
to do is just good business, period. A pilot doesnt need a reputation for unreliability.
Thats what you do for a living? I mean when youre not kidnapping people? she demanded. More
and more it was beginning to look like Judd Raven was merely a tool. If she could somehow render
him ineffective she might have a chance.
I ran a small ferrying outfit in New Mexico, he explained with a shrug. When a businessman in
Africa or South America or God-knows-where orders a small private plane from the U.S., he
commissions an outfit like mine to fly the aircraft to wherever he is. You dont just pack up a Cessna
or a Beechcraft and ship it halfway around the world, you know. Its got to be flown to where its
needed.
I gather ferrying planes doesnt pay very well, or you wouldnt be obliged to take on outside jobs
like kidnapping, Honor snapped impatiently.
No, he agreed gently, it doesnt pay all that well. So I sometimes supplement my income with
outside jobs, as you put it. Are you finished with that tamale yet?
Honor looked down at the half-eaten tamale, knowing she was never going to finish it. Her stomach
was twisted into one large knot. Judd, she began evenly, still focusing on the tamale, will you at
least listen to my side of the story?
He reached across the table and closed iron fingers around her wrist. You can tell me your side of
the story on the way back to Arizona. Come on, Honor, its getting late. Lets go.
No, please!
But he was already on his feet, drawing her up beside him. Throwing a handful of pesos down on the
table, Judd Raven turned and led Honor out of the smoky cantina and into the balmy Mexican night.
Instinctively Honor tried to fight the steady, inexorable grasp on her wrist but he simply ignored her
efforts as he started down the dusty street. After a moment it was obvious he knew where she lived,
and Honor felt a new rush of despair. He must have asked about her before locating her in the cantina.
Wont you at least listen to me? she pleaded as he led her down the nearly silent street to the small
cottage she had rented from the woman who owned the cantina. Aside from the crowd in the tavern
there was very little sign of life at this hour. This was a farming community and most people were in
bed early. The lack of electricity in many of the homes did not encourage late hours, either.
In the morning. Judd sighed. I really dont feel like listening to fairy tales tonight. Ive had a long,
hard day.
Something about the way he said that told Honor there was no hope of ever getting him to listen to her
side of the matter. As far as Judd Raven was concerned he had accepted a job and would see it
through to the end. It undoubtedly suited him to know as little as possible about the details of a

situation like this, Honor realized bitterly. He simply wanted to collect his pay and go on to the next
job.
If there was no hope of talking her way out of the situation then she really had no alternative but to use
the gun. The thought of the deadly little weapon lying in the drawer beside her bed brought little
comfort. In her heart of hearts she had prayed she would never have to use it. What was it going to be
like, aiming that thing at another human being? Especially a human being who was only a tool, not the
real source of danger? Would she really be able to pull the trigger if Judd Raven challenged her? He
didnt seem like the kind of man who would bluff very easily.
But she had no choice. She had only herself to rely on. If Honor didnt defend herself, no one would.
Lifting her chin, she straightened her shoulders and began to deliberately summon the land of resolve
it would take to remove the wicked little gun from the bedside drawer.
Her cottage was one of the more comfortable structures in town. It was blessed with a naked light
bulb which dangled precariously from the ceiling, a very old bathroom and a small electric burner.
Other than the bathroom there was only one room, which served as both living room and bedroom.
The few pieces of furniture were threadbare and dilapidated.
Youve been living here for four weeks? Judd asked as he stepped through the door and scanned the
stark interior. I should think youd be more than ready to go home by now!
Nobodys asking you to spend the night here, she muttered tightly, her eyes straying quickly to the
night-stand beside the single bed. Perhaps youd rather sleep in your plane? she added icily.
No, thanks. Ive slept in worse places than this. I just have a hard time imagining you being content
here. Its hardly Acapulco!
But, then, you dont really know me, do you? she shot back, freeing her wrist to walk restlessly
across the small room. She stood staring out the uncurtained window, her back toward the tall, dark
man behind her. You dont know me at all.
There was a strange silence and then Judd said quietly, You forget Ive not only been told a great
deal about you but Ive been looking at that damned photograph your father gave me for a solid
week.
She swung around angrily. The photograph! What the hell can you learn from a picture?
Not much, apparently, he retorted unconcernedly. Based on that photo I would have said you were
a different sort of person than your father and brother described. In fact, when I first saw you in that
cantina tonight I would have said you were Never mind. Youre just not quite what I had imagined.
Which only goes to show, he went on carelessly, examining the bed, how deceptive appearances
can be.
Somehow I get the impression your appearance isnt deceptive in the least, Honor gritted. You
look exactly like you seem to be. A cold, hard, inhuman man whos only interested in collecting his

pay for this dirty little job.

Now that we understand each other, he said smoothly, lets get ready for bed, shall we? You dont
have to look at me like that, you know. Ill be sleeping on the floor. That lumpy mattress doesnt look
much more comfortable than these boards, anyway. Youre welcome to it.
Honor stood still beside the window, watching as Judd methodically confiscated a couple of the worn
blankets and spread them out on the floor. When hed finished he glanced up, examining her tense
face. I have to get a couple of things out of the plane. Youd better come with me. He turned
abruptly toward the door and opened it. When she made no move to follow he glanced back and said
laconically, I know theres nowhere you can run in this village. Im aware of the fact that you left
your car back in the States and that you traveled through Mexico on buses. You probably cant get into
too much trouble in the ten minutes its going to take me to get my things from the plane, but just the
same Ill feel more comfortable if youre with me. I wouldnt want to return to find youve made
another half-hearted attempt on your wrists.
Honor went white. Damn you! she whispered savagely.
Come here, Honor, he ordered quietly. Dont make me drag you through the streets to the plane
and back.
It was a small thing, this business of ordering her to cross the room and accompany him, but Honor
sensed immediately that he was doing it deliberately. Judd was establishing the rules, making it clear
that he was in charge. He probably thought that if he took a firm enough position she would simply
give up and stop fighting him. As far as he was concerned she was a spoiled brat who happened to be
nearly thirty. Spoiled brats were traditionally best handled by a dose of discipline.
Didnt he realize that when you were fighting for your life you didnt play by anyone elses rules?
Still, this was not the time to go into battle. Common sense dictated that she give an appearance, at
least, of resigning herself to her lot. Honors sensitive mouth tightened ominously but she silently
crossed the room.
Thats better, Judd approved, opening the door. Behave yourself and well get along just fine.
Perhaps, Honor decided objectively, it wouldnt be so difficult using the gun on him later! The man
had it coming.
The Cessna 185/Skywagon was perched in the desert on the side of the dirt road into town. In the
moonlight Honor could see the high wings and the old-fashioned tailwheel. It was painted a light
color, difficult to discern in the shadows. She hated it on sight. Up until now there had been a pleasant
feeling of isolation and remoteness about the small Mexican village. There were few cars in town and
only a weekly bus. The plane removed that sensation of being out of touch with civilization. Once on
board the Cessna she would be lost.
Judd opened the cabin door on the pilots side and reached into the cockpit to remove a small,

weather-beaten overnight bag. Honor watched in silence as he checked the inside of the cabin and
then she waited a few more minutes while he verified that the wheels were firmly chocked. She
watched his hand linger for another few seconds on the tail as he gave a last assessing glance at the
preparations he had made, and suddenly Honor realized that he must have already checked out the
plane for the night. The current attention was probably wholly unnecessary. But there was something
in the way he touched the metal and eyed the wheels that annoyed her in a way she couldnt quite
explain.
Is that plane the only thing you care about? You act as if youre tucking it in for the night! she
muttered disgustedly.
The plane and I have an understanding, he told her dryly. I take care of it and it takes care of me.
As a companion it has definite virtues. No tantrums, no back talk, no arguments.
How dull for you! Honor spun around on her heel, plunged her hands disconsolately into the back
pockets of her jeans and started back along the road into town.
I suppose it would seem a little dull to you, Judd allowed quietly. He paced beside her with that
long, flowing stride of his, which was coming to remind her of a lazily circling bird of prey. After
all, you apparently thrive on causing scenes and creating chaos. I prefer a quieter sort of life.
Ferrying planes around the globe is a quiet life? she scoffed, not looking at him.
Do you have any idea what its like to be alone in the cabin of a small aircraft for up to eighteen
hours straight? No one to talk to, nothing to keep you going except coffee and sandwiches? Its quiet,
all right! The world feels empty.
I didnt think small private planes carried enough fuel for that long a trip, Honor muttered, telling
herself she really didnt want to start a conversation with him. Now that she had decided to use the
gun she realized she didnt want to talk to him at all. Talking brought the danger of communication,
and communication meant a risk of understanding. She didnt want to understand or communicate with
a man she might have to shoot later.
The planes are outfitted with special long-distance tanks for the ferrying trips.
Oh.
It has its compensations, you know, he went on softly. My business, I mean.
It sounds pretty damn frightening to me! I cant imagine being alone in a small airplane out over the
middle of the Atlantic. If things went wrong She shuddered, an image of lonely terror streaking
through her mind.
Yes. He was silent for a moment. But there are other times. Times when the sun is coming up and
you feel like youre the only person alive in the world to see it. Or when youre flying over a deserted
stretch of jungle and you realize what the world must have been like when it was younger.

She risked a quick look at him, her gaze sliding off his hard profile as soon as it touched. Youre a
real loner, arent you?
Most of the people in my line of work are, he said dismissingly. I guess thats why we get into the
business in the first place.
It must be strange feeling closer to an airplane than to other human beings! Honor didnt attempt to
hide the scorn in her voice.
It must be strange to need the attention of other human beings so badly that you resort to things like
fake suicide attempts and running off to deserted Mexican villages. There was no scorn in his words,
only a kind of aloof disapproval.
Honor bit back the angry, useless protest that rose to her lips and lapsed into sullen silence for the
rest of the walk into town.
Judd bedded down by the door, blocking the only means of escape from the one-room shack. Honor
watched him resentfully as he put out the single light and slid between the thin blankets. He didnt
bother to undress and neither did she. As far as she could tell he went to sleep at once, his head
pillowed on a rolled-up towel.
Lying tensely on the cot that had served as her bed for the past month Honor felt each minute that
passed as if it were an eternity. For her own protection she had to make certain Judd Raven was
asleep before she reached for the gun in the drawer beside her. With that swift, gliding way he moved
he could be upon her before she could get her hand into the drawer if he realized her intentions in
time.
She waited fifteen minutes and then she waited another ten. During that time Raven never moved.
How could he sleep so easily on that hard board floor?
At last, when the moonlight outside had shifted a few degrees on the windowsill, Honor told herself
that the time had come. It was now or never. She had to get hold of the gun and then wake her captor,
letting him know he was no longer the one in charge.
Moving with a slowness that was almost painful, Honor slid her arm out from under the old sheet and
groped blindly for the drawer pull. Her heart pounded with the tension of the moment and she
wondered briefly how Judd could keep from being awakened by it. It took an effort of will to control
her breathing. Thank God she had taken the time to practice with the weapon after shed bought it off
that sleazy street vendor just across the border into Mexico. But shed never used it on any living
thing, Honor reminded herself. It wasnt going to be easy this first time.
And then her fingers closed on the old wooden knob of the drawer. Holding her breath tightly in her
throat, Honor tugged cautiously. The slight scrape of the wood didnt cause any response form Judd.
He really was sound asleep.
With a swallowed sigh Honor touched the cold metal of the gun. It came into her hand like an alien

thing, chilled and deadly. For an instant she almost lost her nerve. She had never used it on a living
thing. Not even a field mouse!
Gripping the weapon tightly Honor sat up slowly in bed. She used both hands to aim while she slid
quietly out of bed. When she was on her feet she tried to find her voice and nearly failed.
J-Judd, she managed, aware of the fact that she was trembling from head to foot. Judd, wake up.
Were going to talk.
He didnt stir and for an instant she thought she had failed to waken him. Honor was moistening her
lips, about to try again when his voice came floating across the room in a low, sleepy growl.
Go back to sleep, Honor. Ive got the bullets in my pocket.
Honor stilled in sudden shock, knowing somehow, even before she tried to fire the gun, that shed
been outmaneuvered.
No, damn you! No! She raised the weapon to a level well above his reclining form and pulled the
trigger. There was only a dry click to tell her there was no bullet in the chamber. Damn you to hell,
Judd Raven! Fury broke free within her, overshadowing all the other emotions she had been
experiencing that evening.
Fury and hatred for the man who had so casually foiled her one hope of escape made her draw back
her arm and hurl the useless weapon at him with a savagery that surprised even herself .
She heard him swear softly as the small weapon struck his leg. Then in a frustrated rage she followed
the gun, throwing herself across the room and down onto his recumbent form.
Damn you! Damn you Damn you! With the ferocity of a cornered cat Honor lashed out at her captor,
her flailing fingers going for his eyes.

CHAPTER TWO

The battle was over almost before it had begun, and if shed been thinking coherently in those first
few seconds of anger and panic, Honor would have realized there could be only one ending.
But logical thought was not what was driving her as she launched herself at Judd Raven. And because
she was beyond realizing the hopelessness of the attack, she was able to carry it further than it
normally would have gone.
Raven didnt fight back, which was the one thing that would have ended it quickly. Given his superior
size and strength he could have knocked her sprawling with a couple of cuffs. Instead he seemed to
absorb the brunt of her fury, catching her wrists so that she couldnt get at his eyes, but otherwise not
seeking to retaliate.
Calm down, you little hellcat, he grunted as she tried to knee him. He barely managed to deflect die
blow, shifting his body so that she was trapped beneath him. Honor, settle down! This isnt going to
do any good and you know it!
But she refused to listen to the advice, surging and struggling and scrabbling upward against his
steadily increasing weight. When one of her legs came free momentarily she kicked at him and he
grunted in pain. One of her hands got near his cheek and she raked furiously with her nails, gouging
deep enough to draw blood.
Honor! Stop it! Dont make me hurt you! His grip on her wrists tightened and he threw his leg
heavily over her twisting lower body. Stop it!
Let me go, you damned mercenary! Let me go or so help me I wont stop trying to kill you all the
way back to Arizona! she cried, gasping for breath even as she felt her strength draining rapidly.
Youre out of your head!
I know! Im crazy, remember? Im supposed to be under the care of a psychiatrist at all times!
Viciously she snapped her teem, trying to take a chunk out of his forearm. She only got a mouthful of
black cotton fabric for her efforts.
Honor, if you dont stop fighting me Im going to have to hurt you! he gritted. He caught both of her
wrists in one of his hands, stretching her arms over her head and pinning them to the bed.
Go ahead, she taunted violently, her small breasts heaving as she tried to draw air into her lungs.
Go ahead and hurt me! Show me what a tough man you really are! But whatever you do, it had better

be pretty violent because unless you cripple me Im going to keep trying to escape!
She was almost totally helpless now, pinned beneath his weight, her hands useless. Her head twisted
on the floor, amber hair fanning out against the boards, and in the shadows her hazel eyes flashed fire.
Honor, just give up, will you? Pack it in, lady, you havent got a chance!
I know, she rasped. Ive also got nothing left to lose.
For Gods sake, woman, be sensible! All Im trying to do is take you home! I cant figure you out,
you know that? You seem too damned smart, too much like a real woman to resort to this kind of
thing. Why the hell do you insist on acting like a child?
She heard the genuine lack of comprehension in his voice and wanted to laugh hysterically. It was
impossible to move now. Her whole body was completely trapped by his superior strength. All she
could do was lie there looking up at him in the darkness with all the impotent fury of a beaten but
unbowed woman in her eyes.
Are you going to behave? he demanded, eyes narrowed as he studied her defiant face.
Sure, she spat.
He sighed. Honor, if youre not going to be reasonable
Most people become unreasonable when their lives are at stake!
Dont give me that paranoia routine! he ordered. I told you earlier this evening, I dont buy it!
Too bad! Im going to fight you every step of the way, Judd Raven. As I said earlier, I havent got
anything left to lose!
Do you want to spend the whole trip tied to the seat of my plane? he snarled warningly.
Is that the only way you know to handle a twenty-nine-year-old spoiled brat? she taunted furiously.
Something new flickered in the depths of his dark eyes and then it was gone. No, he told her in a
deadly voice, there are other ways of dealing with a woman.
Are you threatening to rape me or beat me? Her only weapon now was her tongue and Honor used
it recklessly. She felt driven to taunt and goad him until she could get some kind of human response
out of him. If she could find a crack in the seemingly impenetrable wall that surrounded him, perhaps
she would have a chance of reaching him.
Or perhaps she would find there was simply nothing beneath that barrier except more of the same
unnaturally cold, hard maleness that seemed to assault her senses.
Which would you prefer? he retorted brutally. Would you rather be raped or beaten into

submission? Is this part of the syndrome, Honor? Has your infantile brain somehow concluded that
violence is a form of attention, too?
Theres no real choice, is there? she hissed scornfully. Youll have to beat me into submission
because youre incapable of raping me!
Damn it to hell, woman!
Its true, isnt it? Even rape takes some kind of emotion. Hatred, sadism, a sick kind of passion,
something! You dont have any emotions that run that deep, do you? Not even old-fashioned, gardenvariety lust!
Suddenly the dark eyes of the hunting bird gleamed dangerously in the moonlight. Honor felt Judd go
very still above her, his body tight with a new kind of tension. She held her breath, knowing she had
pushed him much too far and knowing, too, that shed had no choice.
Do you know what youre doing? he whispered harshly.
Honor felt as if she were caught up in the talons of a bird of prey but her eyes never left his. So its
going to be the beating, is it? I thought so. When was the last time you went to bed with a woman,
Judd Raven? Ill bet its been years! Tell me, do you make love to that damned plane
The words were cut off in her throat as his head swooped down toward hers. She had only time
enough to read the glittering fury in his eyes, time enough to realize that at least she had sparked some
kind of emotion in him and then his mouth was on hers in savage conquest.
The impact of the brutal kiss washed through her body like a crashing wave. It was far more than
Honor had bargained for, even in her desperation to goad Judd into some kind of response. She lay
passively beneath the assault, unable even to drag her mouth free of his.
She had never known anything like it before in her whole life. There was no finesse, no pretense at
romance, no hint of tenderness. The kiss could not even be described as passionate. It was
overwhelming and devastating, a primitive attempt by a man to dominate a woman in the most
fundamental sense. Judds mouth moved on hers with feral intent, forcing apart her lips. When she
instinctively tried to close her teeth against the invasion of his tongue, he used his thumb and
forefinger on her jaw to pry open her mouth. Then he was inside, swamping her senses, exploring and
conquering every corner.
The faint moan of protest and newfound fear which emanated from deep in her throat went unheeded.
Judds free hand slid roughly down her throat to find her breast and closed over the gentle curve of it.
She trembled violently beneath the onslaught, terrified at what she had unleashed.
His legs slid between hers, pushing her thighs apart in a gesture that left her feeling ravished even
though she was still dressed. Crushed as she was against the unyielding wooden floor, Honor began
to panic. The tremors coursing through her were uncontrollable. Tears seeped into her eyes and she
closed them tightly.

It was the ripple of small, violent shivers in her body that finally got through to Judd. He sensed the
fear as if it were a tangible presence emanating from her and her total vulnerability finally registered
in his raging mind.
What was she doing to him? What in Gods name had he allowed her to do to him? And what the hell
was the matter with him that he had gone off the deep end like this?
The fury surging through him didnt disintegrate, but his normal iron control finally began to reassert
itself. He fought back the waves of enraged desire that were still pouring through his body, breathing
heavily with the effort. One hand closed into a tight, hard fist of frustration and anger. He wrenched
his mouth from her and stared down at the lips he had bruised with his own.
Such a soft mouth. It had been one of the first things he had noticed about her. That gentle mouth and
those huge hazel eyes. Every time he had looked at that damned photo he had wondered how that
mouth and those eyes could belong to the self-centered, immature, spoiled brat of a woman he had
been sent to find. He hadnt wanted to think of her as genuinely crazy for some reason, although that
explanation was probably the simplest one. So he had studied the intelligent eyes with their hint of
mischief and humor and decided that the woman he was after was merely overindulged by a doting
family. It had crossed his mind more than once that the right man might be able to straighten her out.
Not that he was that man, Judd had assured himself as he tramped through the dusty streets of one
village after another. He was merely making an observation.
Now here he was almost raping her. And it was all her fault. She was more than spoiled and
overindulged. She was dangerous.
Damn it, lady, what kind of game are you playing? he ground out. Youre even sicker than your
family thinks you are if this is the way you get your kicks!
Her eyes slitted open and he saw the trace of tears in their gold-and-green depths as she watched him
with the expression of a trapped animal. But even though he could see the remains of genuine fear in
her eyes her tongue continued to cut at him like a knife.
If I really was trying to get my thrills this way its obvious Im in for a disappointment, isnt it?
He swore softly, violently. Why are you trying to goad me into rape, you stupid woman? What is it
with you?
Maybe I just wanted to see if there was some trace of an identifiable human emotion in you, she
mocked scathingly. Youre like a robot, Judd Raven. Ive been trying to talk to you all evening,
argue with you, plead with you and all I got was the feeling Im dealing with a damned robot!
So you decided to see if you could provoke me, is that it? After trying to shoot me, first, that is!
I didnt shoot you! I never got the chance, remember? You stole the bullets from my gun. When did
you do that, Judd? Before you came looking for me in the cantina? she blazed furiously.

I thought it might be wise to search this place before going to look for you. And I was right, wasnt
I? Where did you get that piece of garbage you call a gun? Tijuana? Talk about a cheap Saturday
night special!
It must have been enough to scare you or you wouldnt have bothered disarming me!
It made me a little nervous, all right. Any kind of weapon in the hands of an unpredictable female
like yourself is grounds for making a man nervous. He released her with a short, disgusted oath,
sitting up beside her. But it turns out youve got some bidden weapons, doesnt it?
I was desperate. I am desperate. She edged away from him warily, sitting up and curling her legs
under herself as she watched him. Id do anything I can to make you listen to me.
Thats obvious. Including getting yourself raped. You think that would really have done any good?
Did you think Id be so weakened afterward that youd be able to make your escape? he scoffed,
annoyed because it was possible she was right. Taking this hellion would probably exhaust any man.
To be on the safe side one would have to be certain that she knew who was in charge first. She would
use any scrap of power she thought she had.
I wasnt trying to get myself raped! she bit out. Its just that everything seemed so hopeless after I
realized the gun was empty. Her voice trailed off despairingly and she looked away from him.
In the moonlight he examined her profile and remembered how she had looked a few minutes earlier
holding the gun on him. The gun wouldnt have worked, Honor, he finally said with a gentleness
that surprised him. Even if it had been loaded.
Her head swung around. What do you mean?
He moved one hand in a small gesture of dismissal. When you tried a shot to see whether or not I
was telling the truth about the bullets, you didnt even aim the gun at me. If there had been a bullet, it
would have gone through the door about three feet over my head. You should have aimed it at me. It
might have been the only chance you got Never threaten a man with a gun unless youre prepared to
use it.
I was prepared to use it!
He shook his head. No, youd nerved yourself up to threaten me with it but not to use it on me. Even
if I hadnt gotten the bullets out of it earlier, I could have taken the gun away from you a few minutes
ago.
She glared at him. Youre wrong, you know. Im quite desperate. Why cant I make you see that?
I realize youre desperate, he soothed, but theres no need to be and you know it. Im only going to
take you home, Honor. Whats so horrible about that?
The people youre taking me back to will probably kill me, she declared flatly. They might kill
you, too, come to think of it. Theyll be wondering how much Ive told you during the time were

together.
Honor, he began carefully, thinking of the worried, deeply concerned father waiting back in
Arizona, listen to me
No, she interrupted, you listen to me. You*re nothing but a damned mercenary. Youre doing this
for the money, arent you?
Why did the accusation offend him? Judd wondered. His mouth tightened. Its a job.
All right, its a job and it pays a couple of thousand plus expenses, right? Ill double that if youll
just
Ive told you, Im going to do the job I was hired to do! he snapped. Didnt the woman ever give
up?
Im not asking you to renege on your lousy contract! Im offering to buy a couple of days of your
time! How about it, Judd. Two thousand dollars for two days.
Anger flashed in him. Now what are you trying to do?
She leaned forward intently, putting a hand on his arm. He felt the contact of her fingers and
something in him reacted to it. Grimly he refused to give any indication of that reaction, forcing
himself to sit like stone beneath her touch.
Two days, Judd. I want to buy two lousy days. Is that so much to ask? The people who sent you after
me will never know, will they? They cant have any way of knowing youve even found me yet. How
long did you tell them it might take?
His eyes narrowed. I told them to give me a couple of weeks, maybe a month.* Now why the devil
had he told her that much?
You can double your take on this job by simply staying here in this village with me for a couple of
days, she explained. Ill give you the money up front. Tonight. All I want is your word that during
the next two days you 11 give me a chance to tell you my side of this story. Think of it. Two thousand
dollars for two days of humoring me. Surely you cant afford to ignore that kind of offer?
What is it with you, lady? Youve tried just about everything tonight. Bribery, a gun and sex. Just to
buy a couple of days worth of time here in this flea-bitten shack?
I didnt try sex! Honor didnt know why she felt obliged to clarify that point. The desperate wish to
provoke some sort of identifiable male reaction in him hadnt been a thought-out plan. It had been an
instinctive, intuitive action which had nearly backfired. And you neednt worry that Ill try that tactic
during the next two days, either. I only want a chance to tell my side of this mess.
He looked down at the hand on his arm and Honor immediately withdrew it, folding it tensely into a
small fist which she rested against her thigh. When Judds eyes met hers again in the shadowy light

she could see a trace of the savage gutter shed elicited a few minutes earlier when shed taunted him.
You did try sex, Judd growled softly. And your efforts nearly got you raped. Thats all you would
have achieved, Honor, believe me. Taking you physically would not have made me more vulnerable
to your arguments and schemes. I want that very clear between us. I want you to understand that
seducing me isnt going to buy you a damn thing except a night in bed with me. Its certainly not going
to convince me not to take you back to Arizona.
She flinched under the harsh impact of his words even as she registered the fact that his tone was at
last carrying some nuance of emotion. He was still angry at her for causing him to nearly lose his selfcontrol, she realized vaguely. There wasnt time now to sort out what that might mean, but she stored
it away for future reference.
Im not talking about sex. Im talking about money. I understand that money probably holds a lot
more interest for you under the circumstances, she retorted.
Once more a measure of fury, quickly checked, flashed into those raven-dark eyes, but when he spoke
again Judd had himself firmly under control. Ive told you that you can tell me your story on the trip
back to Arizona in the morning. It cant be that long a tale!
I want more time than the few hours it will take to fly me back to the States!
Time to convince me.
Yes, damn it! Believe it or not, I get the feeling that if I can just drum the truth into your thick skull I
might have a chance of surviving this disaster. Im banking on the fact that you wouldnt willingly turn
me over to people who want to kill me. Not if you know the truth.
What gives you so much faith in my integrity? he mocked.
Maybe its not a case of having any faith in your integrity, she shot back heatedly. Maybe its just a
feeling mat youve got sense enough to look out for yourself. And getting involved in murder might
cause you more than a couple of thousand dollars worth of trouble. If I can make you see that, I might
be able to get you to leave me here in Mexico. Youll be able to go home to your precious airplaneferrying business with the two thousand you left it to collect and without having gotten yourself mixed
up with murder.
You throw a big word like murder around pretty freely, Honor. I wonder if you have any idea of
what youre saying?
Believe me, I know what Im talking about! she breathed.
God, maybe your shrink is right. Maybe you really are borderline paranoid. Maybe youre already
over the border, he muttered.
But you dont believe that, do you? Honor challenged, suddenly aware that she had found a wedge.
You dont think Im really crazy. You think Im just spoiled and difficult and childish. But would

even a spoiled brat carry a tantrum this far? You think Ive enjoyed living in this shack for the past
few weeks? You think I like not being able to have a conversation with anyone in my own language?
You think I like having to boil every drop of water I drink because Im afraid Ill get sick? You think
its been pleasant doing without a telephone or a refrigerator or a car? For Gods sake, Judd. Spoiled
brats dont like to go too long without their creature comforts, do they? I would have headed for
Acapulco or one of the other tourist centers if Id just been trying to upset my family. Why would I
make myself suffer in the process?
You tried suicide once, he pointed out inexorably. Someone who did that might have some strange
notions of how to make others suffer. Maybe living like this he waved a hand vaguely around the
shack is your idea of punishing your father in some way.
Honor closed her eyes in hopeless frustration. Theres no reasoning with you, is there? she finally
asked in a dead voice.
Silence greeted the question and when she opened her eyes again it was to find him watching her with
a long, brooding stare. If, Judd began cautiously, I agreed to give you two (lays, would you be
willing to promise me that you wont give me any trouble when the time comes to take you home?
Honor swallowed, not quite believing her ears. Do you mean that? Youll grant me the time?
I might. Why the hell was he even considering the damn bargain? He should just tie her up hand and
foot, throw her into the plane and leave at dawn tomorrow morning. But once he had delivered her to
her family he would probably never see her again. And after having searched for her for nearly a
week, Judd Was beginning to realize that he wanted a little time with this woman. Time to determine
whether or not there was anything real beneath the soft mouth and the big eyes. Two days wasnt
going to matter one way or the other, he told himself, knowing even as he did so that he was
rationalizing the situation. But in return Id want your personal guarantee that youll give me no
trouble when it comes time to leave.
You have it, she vowed rashly, her relief shimmering in her eyes. Once again she impulsively put
out a hand and touched his arm. I swear you have it. Just give me a couple of days to explain this
whole mess to you. Then, if you dont believe me
Youll start in all over again, wont you? he groaned Im a fool to let myself get talked into this.
The worst tiling that can happen to you is that youll make an extra two thousand dollars! she
stormed.
Damn it, why did she have to keep harping on the money? No thats not the worst thing that can
happen to me, he shot back bluntly. The worst thing is that Ill give you the impression that Im a
fool of a man who can be manipulated.
But I dont think that! she protested, snatching her hand away again. He felt the loss of the warmth
of her fingers and wondered at it. He liked having her touch him spontaneously, Judd acknowledged
silentiy.

Yes, you do. At this point in time you do. He sighed. Just dont go overboard with the idea,
though, because youll only be deluding yourself. Go back to bed, Honor. You can start talking in the
morning. I really dont think Im up to hearing the wild tale tonight.
But it wont take me long to give you a rough outline of what really happened and then you can ask
questions she began earnestly.
Honor, so far youve threatened me with a gun, attacked me physicallyyes you did, he injected
when she started to protest. He touched the side of his face meaningfully. Something tells me Ill be
wearing a few scars tomorrow. And you nearly provoked me into taking you by force. In all honesty
youll have to admit Ive suffered enough tonight. Let tine explanations ride until tomorrow, okay? Im
tired, even if you arent.
She didnt want to retreat to her cot, he realized. She wanted to sit there on the floor and give him the
whole crazy tale shed concocted. She was a determined Utile thing, he had to hand it to her.
Bed, Honor, he repeated levelly.
Oh, all right she said, scrambling to her feet But you will listen in the morning, wont you? With
an open mind? Youll give me a chance to explain?
Ill listen. Im making no promises beyond that He refused to let himself offer any further comfort
and as she turned back to the cot he was aware of her mixed reaction. She was depressed because she
hadnt completely gained the upper hand and relieved because at least shed accomplished something
with her fierce attack. What kind of female was he dealing with? Judd asked himself for the
thousandth time.
He lay back down on the hard floor, adjusting the makeshift pillow and the tattered blanket Across the
small expanse of space separating them he watched her climb back into bed and pull the covers up
around her chin.
The thought that had been hovering at the back of his mind ever since hed walked into the cantina
finally came forward. She was real.
My God, was she real, he repeated, touching the small wound on his cheek with a grimace. He had the
marks to prove it now.
But for the past few days he had felt as if he were chasing down a fantasy. It had made him uneasy at
first, telling everyone he met that she was his runaway wife, but gradually the fiction had seemed to
cross the bounds of reality in his own mind. Every time he glanced at the photo he had wondered what
it would be like to have a real claim on her, to know that when he found her he could keep her.
Loneliness had never been a problem before, Judd thought fleetingly. Hed been on his own for so
long that he had a hard time imagining any other sort of life. He preferred being alone. It was natural
for him now. A habit. People who lived with each other had skills he couldnt even comprehend.
They laughed together and they talked together. Flying airplanes seemed a whole lot easier and a hell

of a lot less demanding. Since the day hed gotten his license, airplanes had seemed a good substitute
for the unreliable friendship of humans, especially women.
No, being alone had become a way of life and he had been stoically satisfied with his path. Until this
past week when he had found himself tracking down a woman he was claiming as his wife. What
would it have been like, hed wondered, if she really had been his mate? What would it be like to
have a woman who was his and his alone? Since the day hed been left to the casual care of a series
of foster homes hed had no one he could really claim as his own. As a man he had known women but
hed never had the feeling that any of them truly belonged to him. And none had seemed anxious to
claim him permanently, either.
But a strange new sensation of possessiveness had grown within him as hed traced Honor through
Mexico. It filled him with a restlessness that he didnt understand.
It was only then, as silence descended and a semblance of superficial peace settled on the room, that
Judd allowed himself to think about what he had felt when hed lain on top of Honor Knight and
trapped her soft, twisting body with his own.
It would have taken very little to push him completely over the edge during those few minutes. His
body hadnt completely quieted down even yet. It was easy to imagine what it would have been like
to tear off her shirt and find the curves of her breasts. He could also feel the budding nipples beneath
his palms, and if hed gone that far he wouldnt have been able to stop. Judd drew a long breath,
knowing he could easily have un-snapped her jeans and stripped them from her hips, leaving her open
and vulnerable. She might have fought like a wildcat but she was no match for his masculine strength.
He could have slid between her legs and buried himself in her warmth, taking her completely.
And it would have been good. So good. Damn it to hell. His body was hardening again just at the
imagery. Maybe he should have taken her, Judd told himself violently. She had certainly been asking
for it the way she had first attacked and then taunted him.
Maybe he should have taken her and taught her that she couldnt get away with treating him first as if
he were some kind of mercenary bounty hunter and then as if he were impotent. Christ! The woman
sure knew how to get at a man! No wonder her father and brother were in such a turmoil over her.
She must have been running them ragged for years.
Honor Knight needed someone to take her in hand, Judd decided not for the first time that week. She
needed a man who could control her, one whom she couldnt manipulate. Once that crazy quirk in her
personality was straightened out, the one that made her grab for unnatural attention and try to
manipulate every man in her orbit, she might be one hell of a woman. She didnt lack guts and she
didnt give up easily. Furthermore, there was a sensuality about her which intrigued him far more than
he wanted to admit.
What would have happened if he had, indeed, taken her? Judd finally dozed off into a light sleep with
that question still burning in his mind and in his loins.

CHAPTER THREE

The familiar knock of the neighborhood boy who brought her fresh eggs three times a week brought
Honor out of her restless sleep the next morning. As she struggled awake she automatically glanced
across the room. The bedding Judd had been using during the night was neatly folded and stashed on
the crate that served as an end table. From the tiny bathroom she could hear the sound of running
water. He must be shaving, Honor decided, pulling herself out of bed and padding barefoot across the
floor to open the door.
Buenos dias, Paco. Qu tal? Judd might have been right about her Spanish being lousy but it had
been improving daily in this land of strangers who spoke no English.
The small, black-haired boy on the front step grinned up at her and shyly handed her the carton of
eggs. I am fine, he answered formally in Spanish, remembering to slow down so that she could
understand him. Ive brought your eggs.
Wonderful. Ill go and get the money. Honor didnt kid herself. This was a poor village and her
willingness to pay well for good food and vegetables was much appreciated locally. Solemnly she
counted out the proper amount for the eggs, the coins disappearing into the childs grubby little hand.
My mother wants to know if youll be needing more eggs now that your man has found you? Paco
asked gravely, peering unabashedly around the corner to see if he could catch sight of the stranger
who had taken the gringa out of the cantina last night.
Tell your mother that Ill let her know Honor told him dryly. In a small town like this the arrival of
Judd Raven was hardly likely to go unnoticed.
Do you think your man will give me a ride in his airplane? Paco asked hurriedly.
Honor didnt catch every word but she got the gist of the question. Youll have to ask him, she said
smiling, and in the back of her mind a glimmering of an idea began to take shape. The airplane was
the means ,by which Judd Raven eventually planned to get her out of the country. He would never let
her near the Cessna unescorted but he was going to have a hard time keeping all the curious village
children from hanging around the exotic machine. If worse came to worst and Raven refused to pay
any heed to her explanation, those children might offer her a possible way of sabotaging that damned
plane.
Ask me what? Judds voice cut across her thoughts as he emerged from the bathroom behind her,
wiping his neck with a small towel hed found. The dark shadow of his beard, which had been
evident last night, was gone temporarily, but in the bright morning light he reminded her just as much

of a black-winged bird of prey as he had the night before.

Honor took in the brilliant midnight eyes, the emotionless expression on his bronzed face and the hard
lines of his body in jeans and a fresh, dark shirt. Her spirits sank.
Paco here wants to know if he can have a ride in the Cessna, she explained quietly.
Judd arched one brow and looked solemnly down at the young boy. He said something in rapid,
expert Spanish and Pacos face fell in disappointment. Honor realized Judd must have refused the
ride. But the conversation went on for a few more minutes, the language too rapid for her to
understand completely. In the end Paco left with an expectant grin on his dark features.
What did you tell him? Honor asked as she shut the door behind her small visitor.
Judd shrugged. That I didnt have enough fuel to take all the kids in the village joyriding and that if I
did it for Paco Id have to do it for the others. He understood and we compromised.
Compromised? Honor made her way across the small room to where the electric hot plate sat on a
shelf.
I agreed to let him and the other kids take turns sitting in the pilots seat this afternoon. Hes gone off
to tell the others.
Honor smiled with sudden, unexpected gratitude. Oh, Judd, thats very nice of you. Thank you. The
kids will love that.
He eyed her mouth, not quite knowing what to make of the smile. Its no big deal. I dont mind since
it looks like Im going to be stuck here for two wasted days anyway. He could have kicked himself
as soon as the words were out of his mouth. The dazzling, apparently genuine smile she was giving
him disappeared instantly and the warmth that had momentarily lit her eyes was gone as if it had
never been. It was replaced by the now-familiar wariness.
Yes, she agreed in a grim little voice. You will be stuck here for two wasted days, wont you?
There was a small silence while she began heating a tiny skillet over the hot plate. Honor sensed that
he was searching for another topic of conversation and the fact that he was temporarily at a loss for
words was unaccountably satisfying.
Paco seemed to like you, Judd finally remarked. He swung around one of the two straight-backed
wooden chairs in the room and straddled it backward, his arms resting on the top.
Honor lifted one shoulder dismissingly. I pay an outrageous sum for fresh eggs. I also pay well for
fresh tortillas and fresh vegetables. Nothing like having money in a poor town to make one popular!
Or very unpopular, he retorted wryly. There as another pause and then he remarked laconically,
Everyone Ive talked to for the past week who remembered you seemed to like you. They all spoke
enthusiastically of the polite lady with the beautiful smile.

I guess I have the bulk of the Mexican population fooled, havent I? she retorted bleakly,
concentrating on the eggs while she heated two tortillas on the side of the hot plate. Too bad
everyone Ive met hasnt had the opportunity to discuss my character failings with my loving family.
Tell me something, Judd. How did you convince all those nice people to tell you about me?
I gave them an explanation they could comprehend very easily.
Ill bet. What was it? She dished out the eggs onto two chipped pottery plates and added a corn
tortilla to each.
That you were my woman who had run away and that Id come to find you and take you home, he
told her very casually, accepting one of the plates.
So thats why Paco kept calling you my man. Honor sighed, having guessed as much. What a
joke.
He expertly curled the tortilla and used it to scoop up a section of egg. If its any consolation
everyone seemed to be on your side.
Then why the hell didnt they refuse to tell you where I was? she snapped in annoyance.
They wouldnt dream of interfering in a domestic situation of that sort, he drawled as she took the
other straight-backed chair and began to eat in short, angry bites. They all recognize the elemental
fact mat a man has certain rights over his woman.
Uh-huh. So how did you get the impression they were on my side? she demanded bitterly.
Nearly everyone I talked to urged me not to beat you too severely when I eventually located you.
They all seemed to feel you were just a high-strung, temperamental female who needed a gentle hand,
not a heavy one.
Honor made a small, disgusted sound and downed another bite of egg and tortilla. It looks like
Mexico wasnt such a good choice as a hiding place, was it? Maybe I should have tried Canada.
Except that there she wouldnt have had the language barrier to slow down the two men who were
hunting her. For all the good that had done her in the end, she thought sadly. They had simply hired
someone who spoke Spanish to come after her.
Judd made no immediate response to her rhetorical comment. He wasnt about to tell her how strange
it had seemed to pretend to everyone he met that she was his errant woman. He didnt want her to
know about the times hed been alone in the Cessna between villages when reality and fantasy had
begun to merge; about the times hed begun to wonder what the hunt would have been like if she
actually were his runaway bride. The last time someone had advised him not to beat Honor too
severely he had found himself nodding gravely and agreeing to accept the advice. The old man who
was giving it had been pleased, smiling toothlessly and clapping him on the shoulder.
You will see, my son, the old man had said cheerfully. It will be worth your while to go easy on
her. She has spirit and a good heart. A wise man does not break the spirit or harden a softhearted

woman. Not if he knows whats good for him.

By the end of the week Judd was asking himself over and over again just what sort of woman he was
hunting. Could she really fool so many people? Possibly. Look what shed managed to accomplish
last night. Shed wrangled a promise of two days grace out of himand that was after shed pointed
a gun at him and gone for his eyes with her nails. Automatically his fingers went to the angry red line
on his cheek.
I think, he said softly, that its time you started feeding me the great fairy tale. Im ready to listen
now.
Honor stiffened resentfully and then reminded herself to take it one step at a time. After all, by rights
she should have been stuffed into the Cessna this morning and halfway back to Arizona by now. One
step at a time.
Its not a long story, really, but the basic fact, the one I cant prove here in this village, is that the
two men who hired you arent related to me in any way. Their names are Leo Garrison and Nick
Prager and they want me back so that they can silence me.
Youre going to stick by the paranoia theme? Judd asked caustically, finishing his tortilla and egg
combination.
You said youd listen with an open mind!
Have you got the makings for coffee?
Honor subsided with a groan. Yes. Instant. Be sure to boil the water well first. Ive been lucky so
far. Id just as soon not get any intestinal problems now.
Dont worry. He ran water from the bathroom sink, the only source, into a pot and set it on the
burner. Go on with the story. I promise not to interrupt again. But please dont make it totally
impossible for me to believe, he found himself pleading silently as he put the water on to boil. Hell.
Why was he thinking along those lines? He had no real intention of believing her in the first place.
She was merely a job and he badly needed the two grand she would bring. Think of her as a couple of
thousand on the hoof, he instructed himself bleakly. A pretty little mare hed roped and was going to
sell.
No, not a mare. That analogy reminded him too vividly of the advice of one of the Mexicans he had
talked to during the search. Treat her as you would a gentle, spirited mare, son, and you wont go
wrong.
Did gentle, spirited mares ever point guns at people?
Honor sat for a moment, moodily gathering her thoughts into the most logical sequence. Two days
wasnt much time to convince a man like this of anything, let alone to talk him into leaving her behind
in Mexico when hed contracted to take her back to the States.

All right, she began grimly, here it is in a nutshell. Leo Garrison is undoubtedly the one who told
you he was my father. I can see how hed be very convincing. Used to be in the foreign service, you
know. An embassy type. And he looks the part, too. Tall, distinguished, with all that snowy white hair
and those wise blue eyes. And all that charm he honed to a fine point on the embassy cocktail circuit.
Hes the kind of man people like and trust on sight. I cant blame you for believing everything he told
you. I once believed in him implicitly, myself. He assumed a fatherly role toward me right from the
start
From the start of what? Judd asked dryly, watching the pot.
Honor frowned uneasily. From the time I first went to work for him, of course. That was a year ago.
He runs a very sophisticated, very expensive service for U.S. companies who want to do business in
Asia and who dont know their way around that part of the world. Garrison served in Asia and
southeast Asia when he was working for the government. He spent twenty years as a respected
embassy official, and during that time he made countless contacts with local businessmen and
politicians. It was part of his job, Honor explained with a shrug.
And after he left the foreign service he capitalized on those contacts?
At least he didnt look too skeptical yet, Honor assured herself as she surveyed Judd from beneath her
lashes. Of course, she hadnt yet told him anything unbelievable.
Thats right. U.S. companies operating abroad often dont know the first thing about doing business
in a foreign country, especially an Asian or Southeast Asian country. Customs, politics, ways of doing
business are all radically different and if you accidentally offend someone you can screw up a
multimillion-dollar deal in thirty seconds. It pays to hire someone like Garrison to smooth the way
and to advise on how to tiptoe through the masses of foreign red tape. Its a legitimate line of work,
you understand, Honor added quickly. There are several small, exclusive firms that offer that kind
of service in various areas of the world.
Youre telling me you worked for Garrison?
Honor nodded. At the time I thought it had to be the most fabulous job Id ever get. I was an assistant
in the home office in Phoenix handling clients, acting as a liaison between Garrison and Prager. Nick
was Garrisons partner. She paused, remembering in dismay how excited she had been at the
prospect of working in such an exotic, romantic sort of business. The possibility of world travel and
the opportunity to meet fascinating people had seemed so wonderful.
Go on, Judd prompted softly, pouring the water into two cracked cups. He didnt look at her. Honor
wondered desperately how much of her tale he was buying.
Well, as I said, I worked in the home office, coordinating things between Garrison and Prager and
the clients. Nick and, Leo were constantly traveling. About three months ago Nick said hed talked
Garrison into letting me accompany them on some of the trips. I was thrilled! Couldnt believe my
good luck. The first trip was to Taiwan and the second She broke off, remembering the second
trip all too clearly.

The second? Judd prompted in a depressingly neutral tone as he handed her a cup.
The second was to Hong Kong, she explained dully. She had left on that trip with such a
romanticized view of both Nick and the business. The shattering of the illusion had been acutely
painful, physically and emotionally.
Why did Prager convince Garrison to take you along?
She glanced at him sharply and then looked away. Nick and I were seeing each other whenever he
was in Phoenix. He wanted me with him. How much of this was Judd going to believe?
A long-distance romance? Judd asked derisively.
Damn it! You said you wouldnt interrupt!
Just trying to get the story straight. But that hard, unreadable expression in his eyes didnt give
Honor any clue as to whether or not he really was buying a single sentence of her tale. Were you
sleeping with him, then?
No, as a matter of fact, I was not sleeping with Nick, she told him tightly. But we were becoming
very close Never mind. At any rate, I was elated at the idea of traveling. Taiwan was a fantastic
experience and I got a chance to see how Garrison and Prager worked abroad. Theyre both
consummate businessmen. They know the ins and outs of doing business in that part of the world like
the back of their hands. And they have an incredible number of friends and contacts. I was very
impressed. Then came Hong Kong.
I sense the punch line coming up, Judd growled.
Hong Kong Honor explained very carefully, was where I learned that in addition to their
legitimate work Nick and Leo went into an interesting sideline.
Which was?
Gunrunning. They buy and sell illegal arms all over that part of the world. Their regular business
makes an excellent cover and provides them with countless contacts. It was my bad luck to stumble
into the middle of a transaction involving several crates of automatic rifles and small arms.
You just stumbled into the middle of such a deal? Judd asked wryly as he sipped the strong coffee
he had made.
Honor bit her lip as she realized how wild the whole thing must sound to him. Leo and Nick had left
me alone at the hotel while they supposedly went out one evening to a business dinner. While they
were gone an important call came in from one of our best clients. He needed some information that I
knew was in one of the files in the Hong Kong office. Eager to show my initiative and dedication I
grabbed a taxi and rushed down to the office myself to get the information. Leo and Nick werent due
back until very late and I thought Id impress everyone by taking care of the matter myself. Shows
what initiative will do for a woman, Honor added caustically, remembering.

By now she had the horrible feeling shed probably lost her audience entirely. Judd wasnt giving any
outward indication of his reaction but she sensed his remote cynicism as if it were a tangible thing.
There was nothing left to do but plow on with the story. In a flat, bleak tone she did so.
I let myself into the building and went straight up to the third floor where Garrison and Prager had
their offices. I was in the hallway just outside, about to insert my key in the lock, when I realized
there was a light on inside and heard the sound of voices. It was the voices which scared me first.
There was a terrible argument going on and I could hear Nick and then Leo. They were threatening a
couple of other people. Something about a shipment that hadnt been paid for. The other voices
claimed the rifles and small arms hadnt come with proper ammunition. Nick and Leo claimed that the
others were lying and said they wouldnt okay delivery on the next batch of arms until the first had
been paid for. I was terrified and shocked and in panic. I knew I was overhearing far too much for my
own good and that if Nick and Leo realized I was outside in the hall my life probably wouldnt be
worth much. So I ran. As I started down the stairs I tripped. They must have heard the noise because
by the time I reached the first floor I could hear them yelling on the staircase. As I dashed out into the
street I beard Nick call my name. He was leaning out of the second-story window.
What did you do?
She could hear the disbelief in his voice. There was no point going into all the details, reliving the
terror of that horrible night. I started running and I havent stopped since, she said in a flat tone.
But first you went home to Phoenix?
She nodded. I had to go home, but I knew I would be a sitting duck in Arizona. Nick and Leo would
be able to take their time hunting me down on my own home ground. And who would listen to a wild
tale like mine? She broke off, remembering sadly that she had not even dared go to her own family
with the story. The ironic part of this mess was that her parents image of her was only a little better
than the one Nick and Leo had fabricated. Had she approached them for help, her parents probably
would have remembered the dreamy little girl who had woven exotic, romantic daydreams to amuse
herself and wondered if Honor had slipped over the edge into some kind of permanent dream world.
Pragmatic and down to earth, they had never understood her.
How did you wind up here? Judd asked matter-of-factly.
As soon as I got home I grabbed the money from my bank account and packed a few things. Then I
crossed the border into Mexico. Garrison and Prager dont have contacts in Central America. I
figured Id be safer here than anywhere else while I tried to decide what to do.
And then I showed up last night, Judd concluded too easily. It was as if he were writing The End
to the fairy tale she had just told him.
Honor nodded unhappily. I knew as soon as I saw you that mere werent too many likely
explanations for another tourist in this backwater village. Her fingers tensed painfully around the
handle of her coffee cup. I really thought I might have a chance here in Mexico. And least until my
money ran out.

Uh-huh. What were you going to do then? he asked blandly.

I dont know, she admitted despairingly. The truth was she hadnt been able to think that clearly as
yet. I suppose Id hoped Id eventually find someone who might pay attention to my story. I dont
know! Its all been such a jumble and Ive been frightened for so long. I decided I could stretch out
my cash for quite a while. As you can see Im not exactly living high on the hog! She looked around
the ramshackle room shed been calling home.
No, youre not, are you? How long would you have been content to live here, Honor? I should think
youd be grateful to me for coming along and taking you away from all this!
Suddenly she was on her feet, the resentment and fear spilling over as she confronted him. Dont
make fun of me, damn it! Its obvious you dont believe me, but dont you dare mock me like mat! Its
my life thats at stake, you bastard! I cant help it if youre so damn pigheaded you bought that stupid
story Garrison and Prager gave you. But mine is no wilder than theirs and Im willing to pay you just
as much to believe it. Since money is about all that seems to count with you, I should think youd do
me the courtesy of at least not laughing at me!
Are you going to assault me again? he asked calmly, eyeing her clenched fists and angry eyes. Her
slender body was drawn into a taut, furious line and she did, indeed, appear to be on the verge of
throwing herself at his throat
Honor decided against that, knowing in advance that she didnt have a chance of defeating him
physically. But his obvious unwillingness to give even an ounce of credence to her story made some
reaction on her part inevitable. Her life was on the line, she told herself in rage and panic, and this
man was laughing at her!
Without a second thought she hurled the contents of her coffee up into this face, the still-warm liquid
splashing out to douse his cheek and drip down onto his shirt.
There was an electric silence as Judds bird-of-prey eyes burned into her stricken, defiant features.
Honor saw the attack coming before he had even moved, instinct warning her that he would retaliate.
She swung on her heel and launched herself at the door.
She didnt even make it halfway across the tiny room. Before she had gone two running strides Judd
was on her, reaching out to circle her waist with his arm and yanking her back against the hard, taut
length of his body.
Oh! The small exclamation came as the force of the impact made itself felt. She took a shuddering
breath. His arm was like a steel band around her and there was no way on earth she could escape.
If you cant get a reaction one way, youll try another. Is that it, Honor? he demanded far top gently.
Is that what you crave out of life? The attention and reaction of every man who comes near you?
Damn you! she hissed helplessly, violently aware of the way her softly rounded rear was being
forced against his thighs. The solid expanse of his chest was like a brick wall behind her. Everything

about this man was like a brick wall, she told herself hysterically. And somehow she had to find a
way to climb it. Throwing her coffee in his face had probably not been an especially good technique
for gaining his confidence, she decided in dismay and disgust. Im sorry, Judd, she tried
awkwardly. I lost my temper.
And when you lose your temper you strike out at the nearest available victim?
I said I was sorry!
I think youre only sorry for your actions when they dont gain you what you want, he mused.
Slowly he turned her around until she stood trapped in the circle of his arm, staring up at him in mute
defiance. What do you want from me, Honor? he asked almost idly.
I want you to go away and leave me alone. Go back to the States and tell Leo and Nick that you
couldnt find me. Ill give you the two thousand you care so much about. Just go away and leave me
here!
I cant do that. And throwing your morning coffee into my face isnt going to make me turn tail and
run. Aiming guns at me in the middle of the night isnt going to do the trick, either. Trying to scratch
my eyes out wont work and neither will telling me incredible adventure stories about illegal
gunrunning. Last, but not least, bribery isnt going to work.
Then what the hell will work? she blazed. What will it take to make you leave me alone, Judd
Raven?
Probably nothing youve got to offer, he advised simply.
She whitened beneath the terrible finality of his words. Gamely she fought for her breath. Then there
can be nothing but war between us, Judd, she told him evenly. As I told you last night, youd better
be prepared to cripple me or tie me hand and foot because Im never going to stop fighting you.
He stared down into her wide hazel gaze as if searching for a hidden truth. The determination in her
was evident in every rigid line of her body.
Last night, he said deliberately, watching her face intently, you tried to involve me in another kind
of warfare. You practically dared me to take you. If I did that if I put you down on the floor and
stripped you naked and took you until you no longer had the strength or the will to go on fighting me,
would that solve the problem? Would I still be obliged to knock you senseless or tie you hand and
foot in order to control you?
You bastard! she breathed. She was beginning to think he could do exactly as he said: throw her on
the floor and force himself on her physically with no outward sign of emotion. That kind of
dispassionate savagery was terrifying.
Im sure that in your eyes I probably am a bastard, Honor. But thats because you cant manipulate
me. Or at least, not completely, he amended with a wry twist of his mouth. The fact that I find
myself spending two extra days in Mexico is evidence that you have some ability in that direction,

isnt it?
That was a cold, hard cash deal, remember? Not manipulation. Im paying you a thousand dollars a
day to stay here! She was beginning to hate the way he constantly accused her of manipulating
people. Its your own mercenary greed that is keeping you here in Mexico, Judd Raven!
He considered that. Not quite. Id call it curiosity. Ive been growing increasingly curious about you
for a week, Honor. Now that Ive found you I seem to be stuck with more questions than answers.
And last night I went to sleep with one particularly large question on my mind. I found myself
wondering what would have happened if Id gone ahead and accepted your challenge.
You mean what would have happened if youd raped me? she flung back.
Are you sure it would have been rape, Honor? he queried, as if only academically interested in the
answer.
What else could it be when a robot makes love to a woman? she asked unwisely. Go back to your
airplane if you want someone who understands and appreciates what youre offering!
He shook his head in disbelief. Hell, lady, you just dont know when to stop pushing, do you?
Then, before she quite realized his intent, he used his arm around her waist to draw her firmly against
him. His other hand went to the back of her head, tangling in her unbound hair and holding her very
still. For an instant longer he held her like that, reading the beginnings of pure, feminine fear in her
eyes and watching the tiny tremor in her lips.
Quite lazily, as if he were only conducting some sort of experiment, Judd lowered his head and took
her mouth.
This time there was none of the wild, enraged male lust she had endured the night before. This time
there was absolute control, a kind of questing, searching quality in his kiss. Honor stood stock-still,
partly because he was holding her immobile and partly because she couldnt have moved if shed
tried.
The sensation being generated in her was not easily defined. The initial fear hovered still in the back
of her mind but it was rapidly metamorphosing into mere wariness. The dominant feeling she was
experiencing was a strange, budding excitement, a new kind of hunger, and there was no way to
explain it.
His lips moved languidly on hers, beginning to deliberately tease and tantalize until her mouth
flowered open in a response Honor was helpless to control. She moaned softly at the moment his
tongue slipped into the intimate warmth of her, and her fingers fluttered upward to rest against his
chest, half in protest, half in desire. What on earth was happening to her?
Judd, please, dont she breathed huskily when he slowly lifted his mouth from hers.
You want rape instead? he taunted softly. He lifted the hair off the back of her neck and pushed her

face gently against his shoulder so that he could nibble at the delicate skin of her nape.
No! Dont tease me like this, she wailed, her words muffled by his shirt. The touch of his lips on
her nape was sending small shivers down her spine and her fingers clenched spasmodically into the
hard line of his waist.
Im not teasing you, Honor, he muttered, his voice thickening as he touched his tongue to her ear.
Im trying to get some questions answered.
What questions! she stormed unevenly and then realized she was leaning heavily against him as his
hand trailed down her back to the waistband of her jeans.
About what would have happened last night if Id taken you there on the floor, he returned deeply.
Would you be so soft and sweet in a mans arms, Honor Knight? Or would you be wild and
maddening?
Id probably be a lot less interesting to you than your damned airplane! she rasped tightly.
He used his teeth a little roughly on her earlobe. Honor, youre skating on thin ice at the moment. If
you have any sense at all you wont continue trying to provoke me.
Are you threatening me?
No, Im making love to you, or hadnt you noticed? His hands slid down to shape her buttocks and
he propelled her audaciously into the cradle of his thighs. When he heard her small gasp he muttered
something that sounded dark and satisfied.
Honor caught the blatantly masculine exclamation and it sent a ripple of new unease through her
already tense body. Youre not making love to me, youre trying to teach me some kind of lesson,
she accused wretchedly.
Im just curious about what I missed last night, he drawled.
You didnt miss anything last night! I wasnt trying to get you to make love to me. Damn it! Will you
stop deliberately misinterpreting what happened? Just let me go, Judd. Please. Thats all I want. Just
leave me alone.
He lifted his hands to cup her face, holding her so that she had to meet the hooded depths of his eyes.
What she saw there alternately chilled and warmed her. He was quite capable of desire, she realized.
It was there in his gaze, a dark male hunger that could never have been mistaken for anything else. But
it was very much under control still. Honor caught her breath. She didnt understand this man, but she
knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was far more dangerous than she had originally realized.
Honor, I cant walk away and leave you here. You know that. I have a responsibility to get you back
to Arizona. Why dont you just stop fighting me? You must know you cant possibly win.
You didnt believe a word I said this morning, did you? she whispered despairingly. Not a single

word.
It was a rather bizarre tale, he pointed out almost gently.
She shut her eyes against the hopelessness of her situation and before she could open them again he
was kissing her once more. She stood trembling beneath the increasing tension the kiss was generating
in her, enduring the onslaught with an effort of pure will. How could she be on the verge of melting in
the arms of the man who held her life in the palm of his hand? She must be as crazy, as certifiably
crazy, as Leo and Nick had implied. Her reactions to Judd Raven made no other sense.
When Judd felt the unwilling softening of her body he lifted his head again to stare enigmatically
down into her tortured eyes. You want to make deals, Honor Knight? Ill make a deal with you. Stop
fighting me. Come back to Arizona without a fuss and Ill stay with you until I know for sure that the
man you call Leo Garrison is your father. Thats the only compromise Im willing to make, lady. Take
it or leave it.
Honor clenched her teeth together against the frustration of it all. Didnt he see that by the time she
could prove Leo wasnt her father it would probably be too late? For him as well as for her, if he
insisted on accompanying her until she could provide proof.
You can take your stupid idea of a compromise and go straight to hell, Raven. Your way will get me
just as dead as if I went back and threw myself on Leos mercy, she spat out. With a small, violent
little twist she jerked herself out of his arms and stepped backward.
Honor, Im trying to be reasonable about this, he began grimly.
No, youre not. Youre only trying to do things your way. Dont ask for your brand of reasonableness
from me. Ill see you in hell before I get into that plane!
Or in bed, he amended speculatively.

CHAPTER FOUR

I feel like the Pied Piper, Judd remarked laconically an hour later as he opened the door of Honors
small cottage and stepped out into the street.
From out of nowhere the children began to materialize behind him as Judd walked Honor toward the
Cessna at the far end of the village. The little ones must have been waiting and watching ever since
young Paco had spread the news about the promised treat. In spite of her own predicament Honor felt
a tug on her emotions.
These children have so little, she murmured as the youngsters flocked around. Getting to sit inside
an airplane will probably be the highlight of the year for a lot of them
Judd eyed the two or three barefoot kids who were vying to catch hold of Honors hand. I wish
he began and then shrugged.
Wish what? Honor prompted.
Oh, nothing. It would have been nice to have enough fuel to give them all a ride, he concluded. But
I dont, so thats that.
Feel free to use your fuel on these kids, Honor shot back. You wont need it for me!
He gave her a slow, slanting glance. Dont you ever stop fighting?
Not when my life is at stake! Would you?
Honor, be reasonable. Thats the wildest story Ive ever heard. Did you really expect me to believe
it?
No, she admitted. And I didnt expect the authorities to believe it, either. Thats why I didnt go to
them with it.
Very wise, he drawled in mocking approval. Im sure you would have found the whole thing
damned embarrassing.
Whatever Honor would have said next was cut off by the arrival of several adults. Some of the
women hailed Honor with greetings that were half-sympathetic and half-amused.
Buenos dias, Honora, Maria Lopez said cheer-rally, feminizing Honors name with an a on the
end as did most of the people Honor had encountered in the village. Your man is very generous to

take the children to the airplane. My Paco is so excited! Maria spoke in slow, careful Spanish so that
Honor could understand. Everyone in that village was so polite and patient with her poor Spanish,
Honor thought fleetingly. But when they spoke to Judd they slipped into a more natural speech pattern
and she couldnt always understand what was being said.
It was quite clear, however, that the villagers firmly believed she belonged to Judd and that he had
come to collect her. Given his greater fluency in the language there was very little chance she would
be able to convince them otherwise. She didnt even know the Mexican word for kidnap! Most of
these people seemed to believe she was exactly what Judd had implied when he had asked about her
the night before. She was his runaway woman.
Good morning, Maria, Honor said, managing a small smile. I hope Paco enjoys the plane.
S, s. Maria nodded enthusiastically, her brown eyes smiling. Then she eyed Honor consideringly.
Maria Lopez wasnt the only woman in the small crowd who was peering speculatively at Honor.
Lupe Martinez, Consuela Espinosa and several of the others were also casting interested gazes at the
Norte Americana. But no one said anything until the cluster of men chatting with Judd effectively
separated him from Honor by a few feet Then Maria leaned close.
You are okay, hmmm? You look sad but you do not seem She trailed off, searching for a word
Honor would recognize. In the end she gave up and used one Honor didnt know.
What? Honor frowned intently, trying to comprehend. Instantly the other women began trying to
interpret. Their voices rose with their excitement and Honor lost track of the conversation
completely. Helplessly she stared at one woman and then another, trying to comprehend the chatter.
They want to know how badly I beat you, Judd explained, glancing back over his shoulder. They
say you dont look happy but you dont look badly bruised, either. They cant figure out why you
arent looking more cheerful since you got off so lightly.
You explain it to them! Honor snapped, taking the villagers by surprise with the unexpectedly harsh
tone of her voice. She glared across the heads of several of the women, who were generally shorter
than she was! meeting Judds dark eyes with cool challenge. Go ahead. Explain why Im not exactly
thrilled to have my man show up and take me home!
There was silence now as the adults around them glanced interestedly from one foreigner to the other.
The children, losing patience, raced ahead down the street toward the waiting plane.
For a moment Judd regarded Honors tense features and then he lifted one shoulder in casual
dismissal of the vagaries of women and said something quickly in Spanish which brought a roar of
laughter from the men and a series of knowing looks from the women. Then the whole group turned
and started down the street again.
What did you tell them? Honor hissed, catching up to Judd.
I explained that you werent in a good mood this morning because, although I didnt beat you last

night, I didnt make love to you, either.

My God! she breathed, incensed. Isnt it enough that youre trying to kidnap me? Must you
humiliate me on top of everything else?
Dont worry. If you find it so humiliating to have everyone in town know I didnt make love to you
last night, Ill be glad to make up for it tonight.
Bastard!
He put a hand on her arm, bringing her to a sudden halt. When she automatically looked up into his
face she saw the glittering eyes of the hunter and a chill trickled down her spine. Youve called me
that more than once, Honor, and Im getting tired of hearing it. Say it one more time and I really might
resort to beating you.
Ah, but that would necessitate losing your temper and I doubt youd let your control slip that much.
I havent lost my temper in a long time he murmured warningly. It might be interesting to see what
happens when I do. Are you sure you want to be the one standing in the line of fire, though?
It might be amusing to see another side of you besides the cold-blooded mercenary! Which was a
flat lie. Honor knew full well that genuine rage in this man would not be at all amusing. That brief
flash of lust she had endured the previous night was warning enough that if Judd Raven ever did let
himself go, his emotions might be violent. Was that why he had clamped such a tight lid on himself
over the years? Did he fear the depths of his own passions?
Honor, if I were the mercenary you claim I am Id have taken your initial offer of a bribe and then
returned you to the States and collected my fee on top of it, he pointed out as they started walking
once more.
As it is, youre going to collect the same amount without sacrificing any of your so-called business
ethics, arent you? Or were you planning on turning down the two thousand Im offering for the two
days youre spending here?
It occurred to me that since I didnt swallow your little story this morning, you might withdraw your
offer of the two grand, he retorted dryly.
What about you? Are you going to renege on your promise to spend the full two days here even
though you have already decided not to believe me? She tried to keep the anxiety out of her voice,
but it was difficult. When shed realized how hopeless it was going to be to convince him to believe
her story she had immediately begun to wonder if he would grow impatient with the promise he had
made. Two days wasnt much time but it was all she had.
I told you Id spend the two days here and I will. I dont break my promises, Honor.
For some reason Honor found herself believing him. He was a hard, cold man, she thought, but he
was honorable in his own way. If only she could get him on her side! She had the distinct impression

that, as an ally, Judd Raven would prove invaluable.

During the next hour and a half most of the population of the village took turns sitting in the Cessna,
listening intently while Judd explained the instruments and controls, and generally playing makebelieve. Judd was right, Honor decided as she watched the children as well as the adults thoroughly
enjoying the small treat. It would have been nice to have been able to give everyone a ride.
It surprised her that he should even have mentioned the idea, though. Altruism didnt seem to have
much place in the life of a loner like Judd Raven. The hour and a half spent guiding people through the
plane wasnt easy on him, Honor realized. If she had been feeling in a more cheerful frame of mind
she might even have found his controlled tension rather amusing.
The Cessna, as she had guessed the previous evening, occupied a very important place in his life and
every time one of the children touched the controls with an overeager hand or clambered over the
seats she could almost see Judd wince in pain. But he hid his anxiety well and he didnt cut the time
short for anyone, not even the youngest. Still, when everyone had had his or her chance to play pilot
and the door to the Cessna was firmly locked again, Honor could see the relief in Judds face.
Are you sure you dont want to sit in the pilots seat, too? he murmured as he double-checked the
plane.
No, thanks. I hate small planes and this one especially.
He cocked an eyebrow. How about sitting in the pilots lap, then?
Honor blinked, taken aback by the hint of teasing in his voice. If thats another attempt at a heavyhanded pass, forget it. Im not interested in going to bed with the man whos going to get me killed.
He sobered at once, the faint trace of humor gone as if it had never been. You are the most obstinate
female Ive ever met. He pocketed the keys and took her arm, following the rest of the crowd back
into the village. What would it take to make you quit playing this weird game, Honor?
A little trust on your part might do the trick.
Can you blame me for being a bit short on trust? Your story is ludicrous, Honor. What I cant figure
out is why youre sticking to it. The longer I know you the less I can buy the possibility that youre
genuinely mentally ill.
Well, thats a step in the right direction* I suppose. She sighed. Is it going to change anything,
though?
The fact that Im more confused than ever by you? No, probably not in the long run. He hesitated
and then said slowly, But I might be willing to make one more compromise.
Stunned, Honor dug in her heels in the dusty road and tugged at his arm until he turned to look down at
her. What kind of compromise? What are you talking about? The hope in her eyes was painfully
evident. Judd couldnt have missed it if hed tried.

I might be willing to give you another day or two here in Mexico, Honor, on one condition.
What condition? she demanded suspiciously.
That youll stop fighting me every inch of the way. If youll give me your word I wont have to tie
your hands at night to avoid getting beaned with the frying pan. If youll promise youll stop accusing
me of wanting to get you killed. Little things like that. How about it? Can you agree to those strenuous
terms? he growled.
Id probably agree to anything that delayed your efforts to get me back to Arizona, she admitted
candidly. Yes, Ill agree to your terms. How long do I have?
Say to the end of the week? Well fly back on Saturday.
Saturday. He was adding two more days on to the original number for which she had bargained. Four
days in which to try and establish some kind of trust between them. Honor smiled, her gratitude plain
in her wide, hazel eyes. Thank you, Judd.
He stared at her for an instant longer and then took her arm again. It was a hell of a price to pay for
one smile of gratitude, he thought. What was the matter with him? Why couldnt he forget his curiosity
and the strange attraction he was experiencing for Honor Knight? She would be furious if she knew
that the real reason he had elected to extend his stay in the village was simply because he wanted to
indulge himself, not her.
It was stupid. There was no logical justification for his impulsive decision to give her an extra two
days in Mexico. Now he was committed to four whole days in this remote village. It was an idiot
thing to do. He should he getting the job over and done and returning home to New Mexico. He had
other work to do.
Well, it was too late to back out of the promise. That single smile of gratitude was probably all he
was going to get by way of thanks, too. But damn it! It was infinitely more pleasant to have her smile
at him than to see the anger and fear in those huge hazel eyes.
Then Judd corrected himself. Yes, it was very pleasant to see the smile, but what really intrigued him
now was the possibility of seeing passion come to life in her eyes. He had managed to arouse some
spark in her this morning and his whole being longed to know what the flame would be like if he
could kindle it fully.
Thats the third compromise youve gotten out of me, lady. Are you satisfied? he asked almost
whimsically as they reached her cottage.
Are you telling me you think youve been a very generous man? she asked, throwing herself down
onto the cot and folding her arms behind her head. She watched as he moved across the room to put
on more hot water for coffee. Today her bird of prey had shown another side to his nature and she
was still trying to assimilate it. His patience with the local people as he showed them over the Cessna
and his surprising offer to grant her extra time both provided a great deal of food for thought.

You sound as if you dont think Im capable of generosity, he remarked, not looking at her as he
measured coffee into the cups. He added an extra spoonful to his own and Honor winced at the
thought of how strong it would be.
Frankly, when I first saw you last night I wouldnt have bet so much as a dime on the possibility of
your having a generous streak in your nature. 1 decided almost at once that your name fit you very
well.
Raven? That brought a faint look of satisfaction to the line of his mouth. Ill take that as a
compliment. Ravens are good in the air, you know. Theres not another bird that can bring them down
in the sky.
Is flying your whole life, Judd? Honor asked impulsively. Have you always made your living at
it?
Ever since I got my license when I was sixteen. Crop dusting, charter work, ferrying, you name it.
Do you often take on odd jobs like this one? For some reason Honor chose to refrain from using the
word kidnap to define his present employment. She found she didnt want to break the fragile truce
that was developing between them. There was no telling just how far his generosity really went, after
all.
When I need the money.
What do you need the money for this time? she prodded.
He brought the coffee over to her. Youre full of questions all of a sudden.
Natural under the circumstances, dont you think? she asked flippantly.
Maybe, he said slowly. Maybe it is. Perhaps that explains why Ive got so many questions about
you. When youve spent a solid week hunting a woman, youre bound to be a little curious about your
quarry.
She made a face. If you dont mind, could you find some word other than quarry? Its not pleasant
feeling like a hunted animal.
Then why did you run away in the first place? he countered too gently.
She stiffened. I thought we had agreed not to make accusations. Asking me that is tantamount to
calling me a liar again. You dont believe a single word of my story, do you?
Lets try another topic, he suggested coolly.
Such as?
Such as, will you have dinner with me in the can-tina tonight?

That came as a surprise and Honor blinked, appraising him from beneath her lashes. It was another
small step forward on his part and she intended to seize the gesture with open arms. But that didnt
stop her from wondering exactly what was going on behind those cool, dark eyes. Until she fully
understood his motives, Honor was nervous about drawing any conclusions from the various small
victories she seemed to be winning.
Was he really beginning to melt toward her? Perhaps that kiss this morning had elicited more than just
a physical response in him. The unquenchable flame of hope began to glow within her again. There
was still a chance of convincing Judd Raven to see things from her side. He was offering time and
even a measure of protection. That was a long way from trust, of course, but she would work with
what she had.
Ill be glad to have dinner with you, Judd, she said very politely, just as if he were inviting her out
on a real date. Then she risked a smile, one that reached her eyes. Do you think you can manage to
refrain from telling everyone in the cantina about your techniques for dealing with an errant wife?
If you refrain from challenging me in front of the villagers, Ill be able to keep my mouth shut about
how I plan to bring you to heel, he said blandly. Too blandly. But be warned. A man has to keep his
woman in hand.
Honor eyed him wonderingly. Was Judd trying to tease her again? She simply didnt know how to
take this man. Have you been pretending all week that Im your wife?
It was the simplest way to get people to talk about you, he said quietly.
Effective, too, she muttered dryly. Theres no way I could make any of these people around here
believe that you have no right to take me back to the States.
No, he agreed, sipping his coffee. There isnt.
The finality of the words washed away her lightened mood. It would serve you right if you had a real
wife who took offense at your little game! she snapped, rolling off the bed and getting to her feet.
How do you know I dont have a real wife? he asked, sounding rather curious.
Honor was pulling clothes out of her pocket-sized closet. How did she know he wasnt married?
Good grief! Wasnt it obvious? I knew it the minute I saw you last night. Youre a loner, arent you,
Judd? She collected a few more items from her suitcase, which served as a dresser drawer. Its in
your eyes. Its all over you. You go through life alone and you like it that way. Except for your plane,
naturally, she added too sweetly. I guess its sort of like a cowboy and his horse, isnt it?
Remember those old pictures in which the cowboy hero kisses his horse.. Judd!
She leaped back, her arms full of clothes as he came across the room with sudden violence. Honor
found herself with her back against the wall of the cottage, staring up at a man who clearly didnt
intend to take any more.
One more crack about me making love to my airplane and Ill show you in no uncertain terms that I

havent completely forgotten how to deal with a real life female! he rasped, his fingers closing
tightly around her throat. The raven eyes gleamed down at her and the expression in them caused
Honors mouth to go dry.
Isnt it true that you care more about that plane than you do most people? she dared.
He released her throat, pulling his hand away with deliberate caution as if the temptation to strangle
her might still overcome him. You just never give up, do you?
But he was once more under control and Honor slowly relaxed. Im sorry, Judd. Its been a bit rough
lately. Im not at my gracious, scintillating best these days. I suppose I should be grateful to have
someone else around with whom I can speak English!
He frowned. Has it been lonely for you, Honor?
Everyone in the village is very nice but Im not really one of them and the language barrier makes
involved conversation difficult. Honor started toward the door with the load of laundry in her arms.
Yes, Ive been lonely. Unlike you, I like to have friends around occasionally. Friends I can talk to.
People who trust me and whom I can trust.
She was almost through the door when he said quietly behind her, You can trust me, Honor,
That stopped her. She turned to look at him over her shoulder, eyes narrowed. Maybe. In your own
hard, cold way, you probably are trustworthy. But you dont trust me so its all pretty hopeless, isnt
it?
Damn it to hell, what do you want from me? But she was already through the door and he was
forced to follow. Honor, wait. Where are you going with those clothes?
The local Laundromat. She kept walking, heading toward the western side of the village. A wide
stream flowed along the boundary of the village and there were already a number of chatting women
at work doing the family laundry. Honor joined them, rolling up her jeans and stepping into the cool,
clear water to do her weekly wash.
On the ridge of ground above the stream Judd stood watching as Honor rinsed her clothes in the water
along with the other women. The villagers greeted her happily, calling out her name and teasing her
about the tall, dark man who stood on the bank. Judd knew Honor didnt fully understand most of the
teasing remarks or she probably would have been furious. Still, she must have caught the essence of
the womens meanings because her face was flushed and it wasnt just from bending over to wash her
underwear.
On an impulse he turned around and walked back to Honors shack. In his overnight bag he located
two of the shirts he had worn during the week and started back to the stream. Deliberately he walked
down to the waters edge and called softly.
Honor?

She glanced up warily, holding a soaking-wet pair of panties in one hand. For a moment Judd found
himself oddly distracted by the sight of the feminine garment. Unbidden, a vision of Honor wearing
only the silky underwear came into his head and he found himself swallowing awkwardly. Why did
he suddenly feel so warm?
Honor, he tried again, would you mind doing these shirts? I could use some fresh clothes.
Especially if were going out tonight.
She stared at him as the women around her giggled delightedly. They might not have understood his
English but there was no doubt about what he was asking his woman to do.
Then she proceeded to shock her audience by demanding in simple Spanish, What will you give me,
se;aunor, in exchange for washing your shirts? She tilted her head saucily, her hands on her hips, as
the village women gasped in dismay at the utter daring of Judd Ravens woman. Didnt she know
when she was well-off? She had been lucky enough to get away without a beating for the grave crime
of running away from her husband, and now she seemed determined to push her luck. Crazy Norte
Americana. Everyone waited in breathless anticipation to see what Judd would do. Just imagine, a
woman demanding payment for doing her husbands laundry! It was incredible.
She will get payment, all right, Lupe Martinez confided to her friend Maria. She will get a taste of
his belt! That one is not a man to put up with her sauciness!
He has yet to beat her, Maria pointed out practically. Perhaps he wont this time, either. But I think
she will do his shirts in the end.
Judd stood quietly for a moment contemplating Honors unexpected sassiness. Somehow hed just
assumed shed take the damn shirts and do them without a fuss. After all, she was already wet.
He tried to read her expression. She didnt look angry or even rebellious. What sparked in her greenand-gold eyes was closer to outright mischief than anything else. It confused him. Anger or rebellion
he could handle. How did a man deal with a woman bent on mischief?
What do you want in exchange for washing the shirts? he finally hedged, speaking in English.
How about an autographed picture of you kissing your plane?
He stared at her, hardly able to believe his ears. Wasnt she ever going to let up on that idiotic
business with the plane? Damn it to hell! How did she dare to taunt him like this in front of the village
women? Even if they didnt understand what she had said they knew perfectly well a challenge had
been issued.
Im beginning to think youre jealous of the Cessna, he drawled coolly.
She tossed her head. You ought to be careful about putting all your faith in that metallic female. My
guess is she has a heart of ice-cold steel. Of course, that might suit a man like you to perfection.
Is your heart any softer or warmer? he asked evenly.

That brought a flush to her cheeks but she held her ground, standing ankle-deep in the stream, her
hands on her hips. Only for the right man.
Which, I assume, isnt me? He arched one black brow inquiringly.
You assume correctly, she told him with relish,
Well, then, if your heart is as cold as the Cessnas, theres not much difference between the two of
you, is there? Why the hell was he standing there letting her bait him like this? But he was trapped,
Judd knew. He couldnt walk away from the challenge. Even if there hadnt been any witnesses he
wouldnt have been able to walk away with it. The need to answer Honor Knights saucy defiance
was almost primitive. He felt a desire to assert himself over her that he couldnt fully explain. The
shirts were rapidly becoming only an excuse. What had gotten into him?
Oh, Id say there are still a few differences between me and mat damned plane, Honor said
cheerfully, beginning to feel on top of the situation.
Name one, be growled.
I can dance.
He nodded as if taking that fact into consideration. Can you?
Ummm. And I can broil a steak.
A useful talent.
Lets see, what else? I can mix a good margarita.
If youre that skillful with your hands Ill bet you can wash these shirts, too.
I probably could. If they happened to belong to a man who preferred me to an airplane. But since
they dont
But Judd, apparently, had had enough. Amid the excited squeals of the women he leaned down and
yanked off his boots. Then, heedless of the fact that his jeans were getting wet around the bottom
edges, he started forward into the stream.
On a note of laughing protest, Honor turned and ran, heading for the opposite bank. A part of her
delighted in having provoked him with her teasing. He wasnt truly angry this time, merely determined
to win the small confrontation. She wasnt even sure but what, in some small way, he was actually
enjoying himself, although she had the feeling he would never admit it. This kind of playfulness was
new to him, she realized, and he didnt quite know how to deal with it.
Which didnt mean he wasnt going to make a damn good try, she acknowledged as he came striding
across the stream toward her.

Judd! No, wait! she gasped, torn between laughter and an unexpected panic as he leaped onto the
bank behind her and scooped her up in his arms. I was only teasing. She felt the strength in him as
he carried her easily against his chest back into the stream. There was a sensuous, blatantly erotic tug
on her senses as she absorbed the impact of his sun-warmed body. What are you going to do? she
demanded, trying and failing to struggle free. Around her the other women laughed delightedly.
Get my shirts washed.
Damn it! She still couldnt read the expression in his eyes. Was he amused? Or was he simply set on
getting his shirts washed? What was it with this man? Couldnt he give vent to any of the softer
emotions like playful humor?
Judd? Suddenly she started to lose her nerve. She didnt understand this man and it was dangerous
to tease wild animals. She should never have started the mischievous byplay.
Pick up the shirts, Honor he ordered in a deep, dark voice as he reached the opposite bank with her
in his arms. He stood in the water and lowered her just far enough so that she could reach the two
shirts he had left lying on the ground.
Feeling more uncertain than ever now, Honor did as ordered, reaching down to collect the two shirts.
As soon as she had them in her hands he straightened and carried her back into the middle of the
stream.
Judd, put me down, she commanded quickly as a premonition told her what he planned to do. The
stream became wider and deeper just a few feet away. Deep enough to toss in a recalcitrant woman
together with two shirts that needed washing! Judd, so help me, if you
The rest was lost as Judd found the spot he was looking for and opened his arms. With a resounding
splash Honor sank below the surface of the stream, automatically clutching the shirts that had been in
her hands.
Damn it to hell, she thought furiously as she floundered for a moment beneath the surface. Youd think
a grown woman would have known better than to taunt a wild, unpredictable bird of prey.
She came back into the air, standing waist-deep in the stream, and found her tormentor watching from
a short distance away. He was only in water up to his calves.
Are the shirts done yet? he asked politely in Spanish. The women shouted their laughter, vastly
amused by the whole scene. The gringos were crazy, but they livened up the place.
Honor glared at him, her hair dripping in a sleek, wet mass around her shoulders. She honestly didnt
know whether to be elated or infuriated. She certainly didnt appreciate the high-handed treatment,
even if she had brought it all on herself. By rights she ought to be feeling outraged.
But there was a gleam in Judds dark eyes that was: totally new. A playful, almost human expression
which told her that in the end he had been playing with her, not just manhandling her.

It was one of the few cracks she had seen in that wall he had built around himself and it was strangely
reassuring. Laughter could form a bond, too, just as other emotions did.
Four days. Four more days in which to get him to trust her. Getting dunked was a cheap price to pay
for having opened a tiny chink in the wall. Her life depended on demolishing every last brick.
I do believe your shirts are about finished, she informed him in careful Spanish for the benefit of
their audience. If you 11 give me a minute longer Ill see that they get properly rinsed.
She wasnt sure she had the right word for rinsed, but everyone seemed to know what she meant. It
was fairly obvious she had temporarily surrendered to the will of her lord and master, Honor thought
wryly. Across the stream Lupe and Maria giggled.
Judd stared for a moment as Honor bent to scrub the two shirts. He was aware of a fierce satisfaction
at having won the small, meaningless battle. In addition to the satisfaction there was an undeniable
feeling of pure, masculine pleasure in watching Honor wash the damn shirts. He liked to see her
touching his things and know that he would be wearing them later.
What was the woman doing to him? How the hell did he come to find himself standing fully clothed in
a stream watching Honor Knight do his laundry?
Honor kept her head submissively bent, devoting great attention to the shirts. But her mood was
lighter than it had been since Judd Raven had arrived in town.
The hunting bird Leo and Nick had sent after her had a human side to his nature. Shed seen it this
morning when hed let the whole village take turns sitting in his precious airplane. And shed seen it
again this afternoon as he found himself engaged in a playful game of taming the shrew.
She had four days to turn the bird of prey into a man who could trust her.

CHAPTER FIVE

Two days later Honors hopeful determination to create a bond between herself and Judd was
faltering badly.
The problem, she told herself in disgust, was that the man was a slow learner. An emotional
underachiever. Furthermore, unless he was answering a direct question his conversation tended to be
rather limited. The one exception was when she asked him questions about his flying. He opened up
slowly but surely on that topic. Unfortunately it wasnt a topic that furthered her goal.
Oh, she was making progress on one front. As she had discovered that afternoon at the stream, Judd
could be provoked into something resembling playfulness. It was, she freely admitted, somewhat like
trying to play with an untamed, unpredictable wild creature, but it was a form of genuine playfulness.
He never actually laughed, but once or twice a smile had actually touched his mouth and his eyes. It
was as if he himself wasnt very certain of his own emotional state on those occasions when she
provoked him with teasing banter or challenge.
On another front she was having far less success. During the two days that had passed since her
dunking in the stream, she had made any number of efforts to get Judd to talk about himself. It was like
talking to a clam.
It must be a nice, simple sort of life for you, she finally exploded one night over drinks in the
cantina. No emotional involvement, no hazing to take chances on people, no need for socializing.
Tell me something, Judd Raven. Have you ever fallen in love?
No.
The monosyllabic answer stopped her for a few seconds. She stared at him in utter disbelief. Never?
In your whole life? My God, you must be nearly forty years old!
You dont have to look at me as if Ive suddenly grown two heads
But never to have fallen in love in your whole life
He glared. I didnt say I havent had a few interesting affairs, damn it! Why are you always trying to
make it sound as if Im not capable of going to bed with a woman?
Im not talking about sex. Im talking about a serious relationship! she retorted. Theres a
difference, you know!

Is there?
Oh, for crying out loud! Honor exclaimed in absolute disgust, sinking back into her chair and
snatching up her margarita.
Judd studied the rigid line of her eyebrows and the sulky twist of her mouth and then he astounded her
by asking, Have you?
Have I what? She didnt bother looking at him, concentrating instead on the row of men at the bar.
Have you ever been seriously involved with a man? he asked patiently.
For an instant she didnt know what to say, and then she decided on the truth. Perhaps he really was
trying to make meaningful conversation. She didnt want to throw cold water on his efforts. A couple
of times, she admitted cautiously.
When?
Why was he suddenly so interested? Well, far be it from her t o squelch the first heart-to-heart talk
theyd had yet. There was a man in Phoenix, she began hesitantly, thinking of Steve Melbourne with
his three-piece suits and his easy, sophisticated charm. We had a lot in common. Both of us had
careers in the business world, we enjoyed the same things. He was very handsome, she added
lamely.
So what went wrong? Judd demanded.
Honor glared at him. Nothing went wrong. We just decided we werent right for each other, thats
all. How could you explain a relationship that had seemed to have everything going for it but
somehow lacked the magic? There had never been any flash of boundless excitement between herself
and Steve Melbourne, no matter how hard she had wished for it. Everything had seemed so right on
the surface, but her romantic soul had shied away from a relationship that totally lacked passion. It
was not, Honor had sadly learned, a commodity that could be infused at will into an association
between a man and a woman. It was either present from the beginning or it was completely lacking.
Do you still see him? Judd pressed stonily.
Were friends. She shrugged. Hes engaged to someone else now, but, yes I still see him
occasionally.
Friends! Then you couldnt have been in love with him, he declared flatly. No man whod ever
been involved with you in a love affair could remain friends with you after it was over!
Youre an authority on the subject? she drawled, fiercely resentful of his certainty.
Im just stating the obvious. Tell me about the other times you were in love. You said there had been
a couple of occasions.

Is this just morbid curiosity on your part or genuine interest?

Just tell me, okay? It was your idea to talk about this.
The second occasion was a bit more dramatic, ft nearly got me killed! she retorted without pausing
to think. He was annoying her now with his persistent questioning of her love Me.
Almost got you killed? Oh, Prager.
Yes, Prager. She looked down at her drink, morosely stirring it with a finger. She suddenly didnt
want to talk about Nick at all.
You told me before that you were carrying on a long-distance romance. You might as well give me
the whole dazzling story, he mocked gruffly.
Was anything being accomplished with this? Honor wondered unhappily. Nick and I were becoming
very close. He hired me into the firm and right from the start we were interested in each other. I
suppose he seemed very romantic to me with his globe-trotting and all his connections. And he can be
very charming, she admitted with a sigh. He knows how to make a woman feel pampered. Special.
I thought I thought he loved me She broke off, shivering at the memory of how quickly Nicks love
had turned into a chilling threat. The man knew how to create the kind of mood that had appealed to
her sense of the romantic, and she had been fool enough to respond to it. That trip to Hong Kong
would have been the setting for the true beginning to their love affair if only Nick hadnt turned out to
be another kind of man altogether. Honor shuddered again at the thought of how close she had been to
going to bed with a man who had shown no compunction about trying to kill her.
So far youve told me youve managed to get involved with a man with whom youre now friends
and another whom you claim wants to kill you. Hell of a track record, Honor. Only a woman with a
vivid imagination could classify either of those two tales as love affairs. You must be one of the last
of the great romantics. If you want my opinion all youve had are a few interesting affairs, just like
me. Judd sounded utterly convinced of his own conclusions.
So much for the heart-to-heart exchange of confidences, Honor thought irritably. Time was running out
and she still hadnt made much headway in winning over this lone hunter of a man. All shed
accomplished tonight was to make herself seem like some kind of empty-headed, romantic fool
There was one other area in which Judd could be provoked into dramatic action, she knew, but ever
since that devastating kiss, Honor had steered scrupulously clear of any attempt to elicit a sensual
reaction from him. Oh, she still taunted him occasionally about his affection for the Cessna, but she
never canted it far enough to make the situation dangerous.
She had known after that kiss that she was afraid to do so. It was that simple.
The possibility of using his physical attraction for her to build a sensual bond was too disturbing.
Instinctively Honor sensed that, once started, she wouldnt be able to control the outcome.
Judd made no secret of his willingness to share her bed but he was still manageable. He was still

sleeping on the floor and that was where Honor had decided to keep him.
His constant proximity, however, was having an effect on her nerves. At night she lay on the cot and
watched his quiet form curled on the floor for a long time before she fell asleep. Sometimes she
would awaken from one of the many dreams of loneliness and undefined fear shed had since shed
begun her self-imposed exile and took a deep comfort from Judds quiet presence in the room.
Which made absolutely no sense at all when she considered how dangerous he really was.
It wasnt until the third night of her four-day reprieve that desperation began to set in. Honor knew
that although some communication was taking place between herself and Judd, it wasnt yet of a
sufficiently bonding nature to assure her of his loyalty and trust. How could they build a relationship
that intense when most of their conversations were about airplanes and flying? Besides, Honor
thought in disgust, she was getting tired of always being the one to initiate the conversations! Judd
didnt actually seem to mind talking, he just didnt seem to know quite how to get things started. His
social life must have been rather limited, Honor mused grimly. He obviously hadnt had much
practice in verbal communication. Probably stemmed from sitting too long alone in the cockpit of an
airplane!
She knew she had been far quieter than usual herself that third afternoon. Her head had been filled
with an examination of the few options left to her. She could try to sabotage the plane, although at best
that would only be a delaying tactic and one that would surely enrage Judd. That damned Cessna was
all he seemed to care about in the world. God help her if she crippled it badly.
Then there was the possibility of making a scene at the border when they landed to go through
customs, assuming Judd didnt intend to try to sneak her back into the country by avoiding port of
entry airports. But what if he did decide to avoid potential problems and simply flew her in illegally?
Are you ready to go get a bite at the cantina? Judd asked, interrupting her thoughts. It was almost six
oclock. They had spent die morning walking by the stream and like everyone else had stayed inside
during the hot afternoon. Conversation between them had grown increasingly sparse as Honor
exhausted her options. She was abandoning hope of communicating meaningfully on a verbal level.
Yes, Im ready. She followed him out into the warm evening and together they walked down the
street to the cantina.
Youre awfully quiet, Honor. Judd pushed open the door and led her to a familiar table. Across the
room the older woman who ran the place waved a hand in greeting.
Im getting scared, Honor said simply.
He gave her a sharp glance. Dont be frightened. Ive told you Ill stay with you until we get the
whole mess sorted out at the other end, he reminded her a little roughly.
She shook her head forlornly. You just dont believe me, do you?

Lets say Im reserving judgment at this point, he temporized.

She recognized that some progress had been made if he was no longer flatly denying the possibility
that shed been telling him the truth. But that wasnt going to do her much good. Honor smiled wanly.
By the time you satisfy yourself as to the truth of the matter it will be too late to do me much good.
Judd, before you hand me over to Leo and Nick will you please give me back the bullets to my gun?
He stared at her. Hell, youre serious, arent you? Whats the matter? Dont you trust me to look after
you in the event youre telling the truth?
How can I risk my neck in the hands of a man who doesnt trust me? she asked bluntly, hazel eyes
glittering with repressed anger and frustration.
Honor Forget it. Just forget it, he muttered and some of his own frustration and anger began to
show through the wall of his self-control.
Was he really that upset about the situation? Honor wondered. If so it was the first indication shed
had that he might be experiencing some inner turmoil over the matter.
But there was so little time left. So little time.
The silence between them lengthened and Honor did nothing to terminate it. Normally she pushed the
conversations, often initiating them and keeping them going when Judd became reticent: Tonight she
made no effort and Judd didnt seem to know how to take over, although he tried a couple of times.
Damn it, why arent you talking to me tonight? he finally demanded in something close to
exasperation. Youre usually chatty enough! Youve been getting quieter and quieter all day.
Sulking?
Honor blinked balefully, recognizing that the taunt was designed to draw some reaction from her. I
guess so. Im just a spoiled, neurotic brat, remember? Ive probably been too long away from my
psychiatrist.
He glared at her and then abruptly threw some money down on the table. Lets go. Weve got a long
day ahead of us tomorrow. Reaching down he snapped the beer, her third, out of her hand and
yanked her roughly to her feet.
Mr. Macho she complained as he strode out of the cantina with her in tow. Do you always treat
your women like this?
Only when theyve had one too many beers, he gritted, tugging her down the street toward the shack
they shared.
Surely even you wouldnt deny a condemned woman her last beer? she taunted. Or are you so cold
and unfeeling that youd do something that mean? She wasnt drunk, but she was feeling a little lightheaded with despair and panic. It was making her reckless and desperate. This was her last night with
Judd. Her last chance to turn him from enemy to friend and everything was going wrong.

The reaction to her taunt was more than she had expected. Much more. Judd had let other, similar
remarks pass without much more than a verbal warning but tonight his self-control was not as firmly
in place as it usually was.
At least that was the only explanation Honor had for what he did next.
Damn it, Honor Knight he rasped, jerking her to a halt in front of her cottage and spinning her
around to face him Thats enough out of you! Ive had it with your sharp little tongue, do you hear
me? You want to find out just how cold I am? Ill show you!
She had only time enough to recognize the masculine frustration and grim determination in him before
she was swept against his chest in a sudden, savage embrace. Earlier you accused me of not talking
enough! she got out just before his mouth closed over hers. Now youre saying Ive got a sharp
tongue. Make up your mind!
His answer was to seal the remainder of the heated protest deep in her throat. With grim intent he took
her mouth, folding her arms behind her back and holding her helpless.
Honor sensed the will to dominate in him, but she also was made violently aware of the depths of his
hunger. This wasnt the enraged, irrational lust she had provoked the first night, nor was it the cold,
deliberate attempt at seduction which had comprised his second kiss the other morning. Whatever this
was, it was real. Deeply sensuous, primitive and real.
The heat in him seemed to flow out to envelop her as he slowly and intently took command of her tips.
She could feel the warmth emanating from the whole length of him and the strength in his arms seemed
elemental and strangely reassuring.
He was going to make love to her tonight Honor knew it now as surely as she knew the sun would rise
tomorrow. There was nothing she could do to stop him and, heaven help her, nothing she wanted to do
to stop him. The passion between them had been evident that first night, even though it had taken a
violent form. Although she had tried to ignore it in favor of developing other avenues of
communication, Honor had been aware of its existence from the start. And so had Judd, she decided.
So had Judd. He wasnt as cold and unfeeling as she had accused him of being.
No man who was truly cold and unfeeling could be generating this level of sensual tension within her.
On that thought her mouth opened under the impact of his and she heard the low groan of desire that
came from deep in his chest.
As his tongue hungrily invaded the territory behind her lips Judd released her hands, which he had
been holding captive behind her back. Shakily Honor moved her fingers to splay them against his bard
chest and she moaned softly.
Judd, oh, Judd!
Hush, Honor. You wouldnt talk to me earlier and its too late now. He used his teeth in an
incredibly gentle, amazingly erotic caress against her throat and when she cried out in a tiny voice he

slid his palms down the length of her back.

She felt her lower body being arched into his and shivered. There could be no doubt that he was
aroused and waiting for her. The suddenness of his response brought to life another flicker of panic as
Honor sensed her inability to control die situation and she pushed at his chest in an awkward protest.
Dont fight me, Honor, he half pleaded, half ordered. Put your arms around me and stop fighting
me. Cant you see that I have to have you tonight?
Before she could find an answer to that age-old question there was a good-natured hail from across
the street as two of the cantinas patrons went past on their way home. Judd reluctantly lifted his head.
The men asked him a quick, laughing question and he responded in the negative. Then he scooped
Honor up in his arms and prodded open the door to her cottage with his foot
What did they say? she asked uncertainly as he kicked the door shut behind him. Something about
waiting?
They asked if I couldnt wait until I could find a mattress on which to put you, he explained huskily.
I told them it would be very hard to wait even that long!
Judd! She knew she was turning a dull shade of red and was grateful for the surrounding shadows.
Its true, he told her heavily, carrying her across to the small cot. I think I began wanting you when
I was hunting you, pretending to be after my runaway wife. I knew for certain that I wanted you after
that first night when you pulled die gun on me. Why do you think Ive been willing to spend four extra
days in this godforsaken village?
She watched him in the moonlight as he settled her down on the cot and then sat down beside her. He
meant it. He truly did feel something very strong for her. She could see it in the rigid cast of his
features and in the hooded depths of his dark eyes. His ringers trembled slightly as they reached out to
curve around the base of her throat.
Slowly he drew his hand from her throat down to the first button of her shirt. Honor lay perfectly still,
her eyes never leaving his face as he undid the fastening.
I dont know she whispered huskily. Im not sure if this is the right way for us. But, oh, God! I
dont know of any other way to find out what you really feel for me! She caught hold of his fingers,
staying them as they would have wandered down to the next button. Her eyes were wide with anxiety
and the beginning flames of desire.
Honor, Im not much good with words. Ive never been good with words. Let me show you how
badly I want you. I need you tonight. Dear Lord! How I need you!
He bent over her, feasting once more on her mouth. Gently he withdrew his hand from her restraining
grip and finished unbuttoning the shirt she wore. He pushed aside the edges of the fabric and flattened
his palm on her bare stomach.

Oh, Judd. She sighed, lifting her arms to circle his neck. I dont understand you. Not completely.
But tonight
Tonight doesnt need words, he muttered thickly against her mouth. Just touch me, honey. I want
you to touch me. Im aching for you!
His palm moved up from her stomach and shaped her breast. Honor heard his indrawn breath of
satisfaction as the nipple beneath his hand instantly began to tighten. She hadnt worn a bra since
shed arrived in Mexico. The heat made such a garment uncomfortable. But the lack of it tonight left
her feeling very vulnerable.
Or was it simply that Judd Ravens touch made her feel vulnerable? Whatever the reasons, they was
no denying that her body was reacting fiercely to his love-making. Her breasts felt swollen and taut as
he moved his palm slowly across the tips. A slow tendril of desire was uncurling deep in her loins.
You feel so good, he breathed, burying his lips against her throat. When you came up out of the
water the other day in the stream your shirt was clinging to your breasts and I could see the outline of
your nipples. It was all I could do not to reach out and take you right then and there.
She shuddered beneath the impact of his words and her body curved invitingly toward him. Please,
Judd Without a word he took her hand and guided it to the buttons of his own shirt. In slow, aching
silence she began to undress him while he watched her face in the moonlight.
Once or twice during the mornings she had seep him bare from the waist up and had refused to allow
her gaze to linger on the crisp, curling expanse of hair that covered his broad chest. But now, tonight,
she could indulge herself to her hearts content. As she slipped the shirt from his shoulders Honor
caught her breath at the primitive picture he made in the shadowy light
What is it, honey? he murmured as she hesitated before touching him again. Whats wrong?
You frighten me a little, Judd. There are so many things we dont know about each other and you
can be very intimidating.
I told you earlier not to be frightened. Of me or anything else. He unclasped his belt, standing up
abruptly to finish removing his clothes. She watched the smoothly muscled, lean length of his body
appear and felt a rush of painful awareness at the sight of his uncompromisingly aroused masculinity.
You look as if youre on the verge of changing your mind, Honor, he said as he sat back down
beside her. You look as if youre having thoughts about running. But you cant run away now. You
know that, dont you? I couldnt let you go tonight.
There was an absolute certainty in his words that told her he meant them. There was no way she could
escape what had begun there in the small shack. And deep down Honor admitted to herself that she
wouldnt have been able to run from him anyway. She felt overwhelmed and overtaken. There was no
longer a choice to be made. It had been made the moment he had taken her in his arms.

As if he sensed her implicit surrender Judd lowered his head to kiss her breasts as his hand unzipped
the fastening of her jeans. Impulsively reacting to the feel of his sensitive tongue on her aching
nipples, Honor clenched her fingers into the raven darkness of his hair and cried out softly,
Yes, he growled in return. Yes! Then he slipped his hands beneath the waistband of her jeans and
pushed them down over her hips, stripping her completely in one fell swoop. He did not even leave
her the flimsy barrier of her panties as protection.
This was the way he had wanted her all along, Judd realized with primitive exultation: open,
vulnerable, needing him. With a sense of wonder and rising hunger he put out a hand to cover the
dark, tangled thicket at the apex of her thighs. The feel of her was doing incredible things to him. It
would be hard to make the passion last because his body was clamoring so loudly for satisfaction.
But he wanted it to be good for her.
No, he thought savagely, he wanted it to be the best for her. So unbearably perfect that she would
never again think of another man. He wanted to blot out any flickering dreams of romance and love
she might be harboring in her feminine fantasies. He wanted to fill her thoughts solely with images of
her surrender in his arms.
Judd? Her nails began to bite into the flesh of his shoulders and her legs curled and uncurled
restlessly on the cot. When he looked up he saw that her eyes were tightly closed and in the moonlight
he could read the strain of passion on her face.
You want me, Honor, dont you? Tell me that you want me!
Oh, yes, Judd. So much. She gasped for breath as he began to explore the dampening heat between
her thighs. I never dreamed it could be this way!
He stretched out beside her, tangling his legs with hers and finding an intense pleasure in the
contrasting textures of their skin. She was so soft, so warm and inviting, Judd thought dazedly, how
had he managed to keep his hands off her for the past three nights? Why hadnt he taken her that first
night? Then he could have spent the rest of the time in Mexico in her arms. What a fool hed been!
His hand shaped the curve of her thigh and she arched closer, turning her face into his shoulder. He
felt the tiny shudder that coursed through her and gloried in the knowledge that his touch had elicited
it Slowly, tantalizingly, he clenched his fingers into the resilient flesh of her buttocks.
Ahhh! he heard himself exclaim. Honey, you feel so good. My God, I want you!
When she responded by slowly trailing her palm down his chest until she found the flat, lean line of
his stomach, Judd thought he would go out of his head. Deliberately he began to urge her legs apart by
drawing small, erotic little circles on the outside of her thigh. She wriggled delightfully and he felt
her toes, which were lying alongside his calf, begin to curl. The subtle sign of her passion inflamed
him and he began to draw the circles much closer to the heart of her femininity.
Then her warm hand trailed shyly lower on his body, cautiously eager for the feel of him. He waited

for an instant, aware that he was holding his breath in anticipation of her touch. When it didnt come
he wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her closer, leaning over to whisper darkly, Dont
tease me tonight, lady. I cant take it. Put your hands on me and show me that you want me.
Then he thrust himself against her palm, sighing as she gently clasped the rigid manifestation of his
desire. She leaned into his shoulder and sank her teeth lightly into the muscle there. Judd groaned
heavily, his blood flowing like fire in his veins.
Oh, my darling, Judd!
Her soft words left him hungry for more of the same. He wanted to hear her call his name again and
again in passion and he didnt think he would ever get enough of those small cries that came from far
back in her throat. She was so exquisitely sensitive to his touch, he thought in pleased wonder, loving
the way she moved every time he stroked her here or there or down the inside of her leg.
Sweetheart, youre wonderful. Like fire in my arms. With his foot he drew her legs apart slowly.
The deep surge of desire in his loins was an ache now that would have to be satisfied soon or he
would go crazy. There could be no peace for him until he had taken Honor Knight completely.
Darling Judd, I want you so!
Her hands fluttered over him, driving him wild. He couldnt wait any longer. Dropping tiny, biting
kisses along her shoulders and down her breasts Judd slowly eased himself over her until his
shoulders blocked the path of moonlight to her face. In the shadows he could see the way she watched
him from beneath passion-heavy lashes, her eyes deep with mystery and feminine desire.
In that moment she was woman, the primitive female whom he must take for his own. The urge to
possess was on him in a way he had never known before, leaving him unable to contemplate any other
ending to this night than total sensual victory.
He moved against her softness, seeking to bury himself in her warmth. She cried out as he took her
completely, the impact of his body making itself felt on hers. For an instant he froze, fearful that be
had hurt her, but when he scanned her face he realized she was too far lost in the realm of physical
sensation to care, and then she was clinging to him.
Honor, my God, Honor. The feel of her nails on his back and of her legs surrounding him was
incredibly intense. It was beyond anything he had experienced and it fed his desire as nothing else
could have. She wanted him as badly as he wanted her. There was no aphrodisiac as potent as mutual
hunger and need. Every fiber of his being responded to it.
He rode her body with the driving power that seemed to be flowing in him Never had he felt so
strong, so vibrantly alive or so shatteringly passionate. She called his name in short, breathless tones
just the way he wanted to hear it He felt her slender frame tighten and knew that he was going to be
able to satisfy her fully. The knowledge thrilled him.
At the height of her response he saw the way her eyes squeezed shut and she clamped down on her

lower lip with her own teeth. Then the tiny, delicate ripples of satisfaction began deep within her. He
felt them at once and held himself in check so that he could enjoy her fulfillment before giving in to
his own.
Let go, sweetheart,* he muttered. Just let go. Let it take you, Ill keep you safe.
As if his insistent voice were all the urging she needed to send her over the edge, Honor shuddered in
his arms and gave herself up to the finale of their passion.
Judd, oh, please, Judd.
He could resist no longer. With a half-stifled shout of exultant satisfaction Judd followed her over the
brink and into the drifting velvet beyond.
It was a long time before Honor came back to her senses. She floated blissfully for a while,
luxuriating in the warm dampness of the male body against which she was curled. And men slow
contentment carved her mouth and filled her sleepy eyes.
It had all been worth it The risk of building the bridge of understanding on a foundation of passion
had worked. She knew it had worked. There was no way a man and a woman could share what she
had just shared with Judd and not wake up the next morning with an indestructible tie between them.
He had been as caught up in the rapture as she had been and he had shown her the tender, responsive
side of his nature, the side he kept so well concealed most of the time. Judd Raven could not fool her
any longer, she decided in wise, gentle, very feminine amusement. He was a man of passion and
sensitivity. He had given all of himself, determined to satisfy her completely.
She had never felt so close to a man in her life. Who would have guessed that beneath that cold,
controlled facade there was such elemental, sensual need? Yes, it had been a risk allowing him to
sweep her off to bed like this, a risk she had feared from the beginning. But it had paid off in terms of
commitment and understanding.
For neither of them, she knew, could ever go back to where they had been before. Judd was no longer
the hunter from the sky come to carry her off to destruction. He couldnt be. The two of them had just
forged the most fundamental sort of bond. From this moment on Judd would be able to trust her. How
could he unite them so completely and not be able to trust completely also?
For the first time in weeks a sense of welcome relief settled on Honor as she lay beside Judd. She
had been facing the crisis so long and had been so alone that it seemed like a miracle to at last have
an ally.
What are you thinking, honey? Judd asked softly, stirring slightly beside her.
Oh, Judd. I feel as if a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. You cant imagine what a
relief it is to feel so close to you now. I was so afraid of you.
His hand caught her shoulder and squeezed. I dont want you t o be afraid of me, sweetheart. Not

ever.
No. Her voice was lazy with contentment. In the morning we can talk.
His grip on her shoulder tightened. Thats right, honey. Well talk in the morning. Well get
everything straightened out.
Her fingers trailed lightly along his chest and she yawned daintily. That first night
Hmmm? What about that first night? His voice sounded somewhat distant, as if he were sorting
through his own private thoughts.
Im just wondering what it would have been like if youd gone ahead and made love to me, she
confessed.
Ive wondered the same thing, he murmured with a trace of amusement in his voice. Ive
wondered like hell! But I couldnt have guessed it would be this good. Nothings ever been this good
for me, Honor.
She tried to resist but couldnt. The temptation was too much and she was feeling too lighthearted and
close to him. Not even kissing your airplane?
That brought her a small, sharp slap on her naked rear end. One of these days, Honor Knight, youre
going to go too far with that lousy joke.
I cant wait,
You enjoy baiting me, dont you? he asked, not sounding upset by the notion, merely interested.
Sometimes. Its a way of getting a response from you. A human response.
Now you know theres another way, dont you?
She could sense that he was smiling and lifted her head to check. She saw him smile so rarely. He
was. Not a huge, laughing, masculine grin, just a small, upward tilt to his hard mouth, but it was there
and it was real. And it was also in his eyes. That fact pleased her most of all.
Yes, she agreed with rash pleasure. Now I know theres another way.
Good. Go to sleep, honey. Well talk in the morning. Trustingly she obeyed, curving her body close
to his and relaxing into the promised security of his arms. In the morning everything would be all
right.
Theres not much room on this cot, is there? she noted, yawning again.
Well manage. Just dont wriggle too much. Yes, sir. She said with a chuckle and promptly fell
asleep.

***
It wasnt the sun that woke her the next morning, it was the realization that someone was rustling
around the tiny shack. Honor smiled to herself, opening her eyes slowly. Perhaps Judd was going to
surprise her with breakfast. Had Paco already been by with the daily egg ration? She hadnt heard
him knock.
In the dawn light she saw Judd across the room. He was packing his small overnight kit, not fixing
breakfast.
Judd? Why are you up so early? What are you doing? She sat up slowly, frowning in bewilderment.
Im getting ready to leave, Honor. What do you think Im doing. This is Saturday, remember?
So?
So this is the day I take you back to the man you claim isnt your father. This is the day you said
youd go with me in the Cessna without any more fuss. Better get up, honey. Its getting late. I want to
get off the ground as soon as possible.
Honor could only sit with the sheet clutched to her chin, staring at the stranger who had been her lover
during the night. He meant it. He was still going to take her back to Garrison and Prager. She couldnt
believe it.
A sick, panicky feeling welled up inside her. For a moment she thought she was going to faint. Where
was the man who had become her ally and friend? Where was the man who had learned to trust her?
With whom she had forged a sensual bond last night?
It was obvious that Judd Raven was still intent on being the unwitting instrument of her destruction.
He trusted her no more this morning than he had yesterday.
Going to bed with him had changed nothing.

CHAPTER SIX

Judd saw the sudden whiteness of her cheeks and he started toward the bed, an uneasy feeling
motivating him. He couldnt forget that scar on her wrist. Honor Knight appeared to be prone to the
melodramatic and he didnt want any complications in his plans this morning.
Honor! he snapped sharply.
She looked up at him, hazel eyes huge with disbelief and pain. Last night meant nothing at all to you,
did it? she whispered.
Was that all that was wrong? Judd almost smiled in relief. Honey, last night was wonderful and you
know it. I realize you probably want a little cuddling this morning, thats natural. But there just isnt
time. Ive got plans
A little cuddling! She looked utterly appalled. I dont want a little cuddling! I want a little trust!
So last night was wonderful, was it? By that I take it you mean I was a good lay?
Honor. He frowned, uncertain about where all this was leading but knowing he was going to have
to put a stop to it before it turned into some form of feminine hysteria.
Well, she dared, her eyes far too bright, her body drawn as taut as a bow string. Well, Mr. Raven?
Was I good? I mean, considering the fact that I am, after all, only a suicidal, runaway, neurotic
female? Was last night worth the extra few days you spent here in Mexico?
Honor, he tried coldly, dont turn hysterical on me. I dont have time for a lot of dramatics this
morning.
Too bad! Because I do have time for them! All the time in the world! Im not going anywhere with
you, damn it!
Honor, you said that if I gave you the extra time here in Mexico youd go with me without a lot of
trouble, remember? he asked patiently.
My life was at stake. I would have promised anything. But under the circumstances youll have to
forgive me for not being willing to live up to my promises. She scrambled off the cot, still clutching
the sheet in front of her. He couldnt tell if that sheen in her eyes was from incipient tears or not, but
he rather feared it was. I will not get on that plane with you this morning! Whats the matter with
you, Judd? Are you really so inhuman that you cant trust anyone? Not even after what we shared last
night?

Judd looked at her across the cot. She was so sweetly disheveled from the night, her hair in intriguing
disarray. And she was quite naked behind that sheet He could remember every inch of that nakedness.
The memory of it warmed him even now when he had more crucial matters to deal with. Last night
she had been infinitely soft and gentle and unbelievably passionate in his arms. What the hell was the
matter with her this morning? She was staring at him as if he were a monster.
Im not, you know, he heard himself say.
Youre not what? she nearly shrieked.
He winced at the edge in her voice. Im not a monster. He searched for the words he needed and
realized he didnt know how to say what should be said. Honor, last night was inevitable. Dont you
know that? It became inevitable after that first night when you attacked me. Ive been wanting you
since I began looking for you. After I found you I knew that sooner or later
You knew that sooner or later youd get me into bed and satisfy your curiosity about what it was like
to lay a suicidal, compulsive liar, is that it? Now that youve satisfied your curiosity youre going to
turn me over to Garrison and Prager, collect your two thousand and fly away into the wild blue
yonder! Youre disgusting. An arrogant, cold-blooded mercenary. I cant believe I was stupid enough
to think that I could reach you on some human level. Last night
You seem to have a slight misconception about last night, he interrupted icily. He felt an
unaccustomed wave of anger at her accusations. Grimly he controlled it. Nothing was to be gained
this morning by letting this little witch goad him into losing his temper. You gave yourself to me last
night, Honor. Do you really believe Id casually turn you over to someone who wants to kill you?*
Thats exactly what youre planning to do!
He shook his head, keeping his tone low and trying to sound soothing, which probably didnt work
very well. He hadnt had much experience trying to soothe hysterical women. You should be the one
doing the trusting this morning, honey. You trusted me enough to surrender in my arms last night.
I thought we were making love! she hissed furiously. It wasnt a case of my surrendering. I went
to bed with you because I thought we could share something meaningful. I thought that afterward
youd realize I couldnt have been lying to you all along. I thought youd know me intimately enough
to trust me. My God, Judd, how can you be such a coldhearted bastard? Last night you seemed
so.so human!
Once again Judd had to clamp down firmly on the anger that threatened to erupt in response to her
words. Why could this one woman out of all the people he had met make him come so close to losing
his self-control over and over again? I am human he assured her, his voice more chilling than ever.
Enough of a man to want to protect whats mine. And make no mistake about it, Honor, you belong to
me now. Im going to take care of you. Trust me!
Trust you? she gasped disbelievingly. When you said youre going to hand me over to Garrison
and Prager?

Will you just shut up and listen to me? I have a plan.

What sort of plan? she challenged.
Im going to get to the bottom of all this, he said quickly, seeing an opening at last, Im going to
find out exactly whats going on and Im going to make sure youre safe during the process.
What the hell is that supposed to mean? she snapped, brushing her hand impatiently across her eyes.
Damn it, she was crying.
If youll settle down and stop yelling at me Ill explain, he told her quietly. Instinctively he took a
step toward the bed. The tears bothered him. But when she immediately backed away he stopped in
annoyance.
Dont touch me, she ordered shakily, putting out a hand to ward him off. I dont want you touching
me. Not after last night.
Damn it to hell, woman! I dont know what you think happened last night, but I can tell you what
actually did happen! He ran his fingers restlessly through his hair and then planted his hands on his
hips. It was either that or he was going to reach out and take hold of her. Something told Judd that that
wouldnt be the wisest move at the moment.
I thought we meant something to each other last night, Honor said tightly. I thought that we would
achieve some kind of understanding. I thought youd realize that I wasnt lying to you. I thought wed
wake up this morning able to communicate with each other. I thought that making love together would
give us a bond, a link that we could use to trust each other. I thought youd listen to me this morning,
that youd want to listen to me. That youd want to believe in me. That you couldnt do anything else!
His eyes narrowed. You wanted all that from one night in bed? he asked in mild amusement.
Dont you dare mock me! Yes, damn it, I did want all that from one night in bed with you. I thought
we were falling in love. Why the hell do you think I was willing to risk going to bed with you?
A light began to dawn at the end of the tunnel and Judd realized what was happening. His expression
softened and he shook his head ruefully. Honey, youre a romantic, do you know that? Youre trying
to romanticize what was really a very straightforward, fundamental happening between two people.
Youre as attracted to me as I am to you. Last night you gave yourself to me and now you belong to
me. Its as simple as that. Dont look for some rosy, mystical explanation for what was essentially
something that wasnt rosy or mystical at all. It was something very basic. Dont romanticize last
night, Honor. Youll just work yourself up into a state of hysteria and tears.
And you dont need that this morning, do you? she shot back scathingly. Youve go plans!
Thats right, he agreed evenly.
A cold-blooded mercenary, she repeated dully, sinking back down onto the cot with the sheet
wrapped around her. She stared at the wall as if there were nothing left for her in life.

Judd started forward, aware of a violent desire to shake her until she stopped calling him names.
Didnt she understand what had really happened last night? She was an intelligent female, even if she
was prone to dramatics, even if she was more than a little prone to romanticizing situations. Dont
you want to hear my plans? he charged.
She hesitated and then swung her wide, accusing gaze away from the blank wall to stare at him. Go
ahead, she ordered bitterly, tell me all about how youre going to get me killed. But I would
appreciate it if you wouldnt come any closer in the process. Just stay away from me.
Damn it to hell! Youre acting like a woman scorned this morning!
I am, she agreed, nodding once. Very scorned.
He turned away from her because if he didnt Judd knew he would do something violent. With an
effort of will he regained control of himself and went to stand on the far side of the small room.
Leaning against the wall, his arms folded across his chest, he regarded her stubborn, proud profile.
Honor, Im going to make a phone call from the town where well be stopping for fuel. Its on this
side of the border. Im going to call the man you say is Leo Garrison and Im going to tell him to meet
me at the border with proof that hes really your father. Well meet in front of all those U.S. border
guards at one of the points of entry. There will be plenty of protection for you if hes not who he says
he is
She didnt move but he sensed she was at least listening. Ill stay right beside you all the way until
we get this whole thing sorted out, he went on encouragingly. Even if he is your father, I wont
abandon you to him. Its obvious theres something screwy about your relationship with him and Im
going to go along with you until I find out exactly what it is.
He watched her lashes lower briefly in despair but when she looked at him her gaze was clear and
very level. There was no longer any sign of the budding hysteria. And if he does show up with proof
that Im his daughter? Will you give me a chance to prove hes lying? Will you let me dig out my birth
certificate? Will you protect me while I go to my safety-deposit box in Phoenix and find some proof
of my side of the story? Can you protect me?
I can and I will, he vowed flatly.
She continued to watch him and for the first time since he had met her Judd realized he wasnt at all
sure what she was thinking. It was strange to suddenly be confronted with that cool little mask. Up
until now her emotional state had been easy to define. Her underlying vulnerability had been evident
from the start and so had all her moods. Last night, for instance, there had been no doubt about the
level of her response. But right at this moment he was at a loss to understand her state of mind. Judds
sense of unease grew. He didnt like the feeling that she was somehow managing to shut him out.
Perhaps it was just his imagination. Honor? he finally prompted.
I dont have much choice, do I? she asked bluntly.

No. Trust me, honey. That is the best way to handle this mess.
Trust you, she echoed as if the words were in a foreign language. Trust you?
His eyes hardened but he didnt move away from the wall. You told me once that you thought you
could. You said that in my own way I was probably very trustworthy.
But you dont trust me. Not even after last night, she whispered.
Honor, be reasonable. Last night didnt prove a damn thing one way or the other. Ill tell you what
last night was, it was a commitment. You gave yourself to me and now Im going to take care of you.
You sound as if we made some sort of bargain in bed!
I guess we did, in a way. He shrugged. But I think die outcome would have been the same even if
we hadnt gone to bed together. Ive been realizing since that first night that there was something
weird about this whole operation. I told you a couple of days ago I wouldnt turn you over to the guys
who hired me until I found out for certain they really were your family.
She smiled then, a bitter, cold smile unlike any expression he had ever seen shape that mobile,
vulnerable mouth. In other words I would have been in exactly the same situation this morning
whether or not Id taken the risk of sleeping with you, is that it?
Why did she have to talk about taking risks? There had been no risk in going to bed with him last night
Hadnt she known from the start that he would take care of her? Honor, last night gave me the right to
protect you. Dont you understand? Before that I was willing to stand by you as long as you felt you
needed me but after last night I have the right to stand by you. Theres a difference.
Such logic, she gritted. Slowly she got to her feet and started toward the tiny alcove that served as a
bathroom. The sheet trailed behind her. All logic and no trust.
Honor! Perhaps he should take a firmer hand with her this morning, Judd decided uncertainly. She
was such a temperamental, vulnerable little creature and shed been under a lot of strain during the
past month, regardless of the cause.
Dont worry, Judd, she told him coolly from the doorway. Ill go with you. Ill let you try your
brilliant plan. But just in case it doesnt work and we both wind up with a bullet in the brain, allow
me to tell you now that I told you so!
Judd winced as the door slammed behind her. At least some of her natural ire was returning. For a
few minutes there hed thought shed turned into a block of ice on him. And he hadnt liked it one bit.
***
Most of the village turned out to wish them goodbye and the children watched with wistful eyes as

Judd went through a careful preflight check and then taxied out into the center of the dusty road.
Someday, he thought fleetingly as he taxied to the downwind end of the road and turned the Cessna
into the wind, hed like to give those kids a ride. He glanced at Honors rigid profile as she sat stiffly
beside him. What do you think about maybe coming back sometime and giving everyone a ride? he
asked above the sound of the engine. I can still remember my first plane ride. It changed my whole
life, he added slowly.
If you ask me it wasnt for the better, she muttered, refusing to look at him.
He sighed and concentrated on the tachometer once more before opening the throttle. She wasnt
going to make life easy, but she wasnt actively fighting him. She might be furious, but at least she
trusted him to some extent. Well, shed get over her temper, Judd decided on a more positive note as
he automatically corrected for the engines torque and guided the Cessna down the makeshift runway.
A moment later they were airborne as the reliable little plane climbed quickly and steadily into the
Mexican sky.
You know, you were damn lucky to get this far into rural Mexico without any major disasters, he
remarked shortly after takeoff. This part of the world is still pretty wild. There are still bandits in
the hills and a woman traveling alone
Might get herself kidnapped and killed? she concluded laconically. Well, what a coincidence.
Thats exactly what seems to be happening to me, isnt it? Except, of course, it wasnt the local
people who turned out to be a threat.
After that, conversation lagged, to say the least. Judd freely acknowledged to himself that he didnt
know a great deal about handling women. His relationships in the past had tended to be limited,
superficial and fleeting in nature. He was well aware of the fact that he didnt have all that much to
offer a woman. Females liked financial security, companionship and exciting romance. Hed never
been able to provide any of the three. Women sometimes found him interesting, he knew, but they
didnt tend to hang around long when it became obvious that he wasnt going to be able to provide the
more basic components of a lasting relationship. Hell, he had a damn hard time even carrying on a
long conversation with most women. It was different when Honor felt like talking to him, he thought.
When she was in the right mood he found himself able to converse with her more than hed ever been
able to with anyone else.
Unfortunately she wasnt in the mood today. He wondered how long it would be before she was.
When this mess was all sorted out it would be nice to take her away for a while, just the two of them.
That thought buoyed his own mood until the time came to land for fuel and the all-important phone
call to the States.
As was his practice Judd supervised the refueling of the Cessna personally. As far as he was
concerned that sort of elementary precaution was on a par with a parachutist packing his own chute.
Over the years hed learned not to put his life in anyones hands but his own. That sort of care had
paid off more than once.

There should be a restroom in the office over mere, he told Honor as he paid for the fuel and took
her arm. You can use it while I make the phone call. It might take me a while to get a call through to
the States. But this is a popular tourist area, so the local operators should be familiar with the
procedure.
She didnt appear overly interested in the complexities of the Mexican telephone system. Judd
shrugged, saw her into the restroom and went to find a phone. Fifteen minutes later he had the man
who called himself Honors father on the line. The courtly, charming manner was evident in the older
mans tones, even through the taint static on the line. Hell, Judd thought idly, if the man was a phony
he was an excellent actor.
Mr. Knight? This is Raven. Ive got your daughter with me.

Oh, thank God, Mr. Raven. I cant tell you how relieved I am. He sounded it, too, Judd decided.
Where are you? Is Honor all right?
Were still in Mexico. A refueling stop. Honor is fine, but frankly shes not too thrilled at the idea of
returning to the States.
Shes been giving you a sampling of her, uh, vivid imagination, I take it? The other man groaned
feelingly. The poor girl. After all this time alone in Mexico meres no telling how much ground has
been lost. Her therapist is so anxious to get her back under his care.
Well, to tell you the truth, Im not sure shes going to wind up back under his care, Judd informed
his employer sardonically. She claims youre not her father. Says youre a man named Leo Garrison
for whom she used to work.
She is a very sick woman, Mr. Raven.
Yeah, so you told me. Shes going to make a scene at the border when I have to land for customs,
Mr. Knight. I can predict it right now. I wont be able to force her back into the plane if she throws
herself on the mercy of the officials. At the very least theres going to be a major delay.
Yes, yes, I can see the problem. If her delusions are stronger than ever Judd could practically
hear the older man thinking.
I think the simplest way to handle this is to have you meet us at the port of entry. You can take charge
of her there. Bring some proof that shes your daughter, though. The customs people might be a little
skeptical in a situation like this.
And then it came. With an adroitness that Judd could only admire, the man identifying himself as Leo
Knight took the rope he had been offered and obligingly hung himself.
I have a more practical idea, Mr. Raven. And one that will mean a considerably larger fee for you.
Im sure you can understand how anxious my family is to avoid any embarrassment for Honor. This
whole escapade is going to be hard enough on her as it is, not to mention on the rest of us. What
would you say to simply flying her in over me border without stopping at a port of entry? I know that,

strictly speaking, its not legal, but you and I both know pilots slip back and forth over the border all
the time without bothering with the formalities.
Mostly when theyre transporting something like cocaine, Judd agreed dryly.
Which we arent involved with at all! There was a comradely laugh from the other end of the line.
I really do think this would be the easiest way to avoid a major scene at customs, dont you? Ill be
quite happy to double your fee for the extra trouble.
Where do you suggest we meet? Judd asked quietly. It was his own fault, of course. Hed never
given Knight/Garrison any reason to think he wouldnt do just about anything for the money. Still,
after listening to Honor call him a mercenary for the past few days, Judd decided he was getting tired
of other people assuming he could be bought. A man had to make a living, didnt he? Why the hell
was he beginning to think he owed Honor an apology for the way he survived in this world?
Theres a small town just above Douglas, near the Arizona-New Mexico border The satisfaction
in Garrisons cultured voice was blatant.
Judd listened attentively while he as given the name of the town, and then he slowly hung up the
phone. The charges had been reversed but the call was going to cost Leo Garrison a lot more than
money. When he turned around Judd found Honor standing a few feet away, her face strained. The
green and gold of her eyes had never been more vivid as she awaited the verdict
For an instant he just looked at her, knowing an incredible sense of relief. Then he stepped forward
and gripped her shoulders. Its okay, honey. Everythings okay. Knight or Garrison, or whatever his
name is, just put his foot in it as far as Im concerned. Dont worry. Youre not going back to him.
Beneath his hands she seemed to crumple a little in her relief. He could feel the tension draining
slowly from her slender frame. Please, she murmured, Id like to sit down.
He led her anxiously over to one of the old wooden chairs that lined the ramshackle office and
carefully eased her down. A new worry assailed him. Are you all right, Honor? Youre not getting
sick, are you? Youve been down here for quite a while and God knows the food and water arent all
that reliable.
Im fine. She sagged back in the chair, leaning her head against the wall. Her eyes were closed.
What did he say that convinced you he wasnt my father?
Judd crouched down in front of her, taking one of her cold hands in his and chafing it lightly. What the
devil was the matter with her? Hed told her all along he would take care of her. Was she actually
faint with relief now that it was all over? Didnt she understand shed had nothing to worry about?
He tried to bribe me to take you in over the border without stopping at customs. As far as Im
concerned a worried father wouldnt have wanted to have his daughter exposed to that kind of risk.
He would have met us at the border with his proof of identity and the doctor he seems to think you
need so badly. Judd lifted one shoulder. Maybe Im just getting tired of being thought of as a

complete mercenary. He didnt even bother trying to tell me hed provide proof of his identity when
we met at the rendezvous. He just assumed that for the right money I wouldnt ask too many
questions.
She smiled bleakly So you decided to trust me because he insulted you? Do I owe my life to the fact
that you dont like being called a mercenary?
He frowned. No, its just the logic of the situation. Ive been trying to figure this mess out from the
beginning. Your story was wild, Honor, youve got to admit.But Garrisons asking me to bring you in
illegally over the border sure as hell doesnt sit right, either. Under the circumstances Im not about to
turn you over to the man.
I see, she said quietly. Thank you.
He blinked owlishly, not liking the cold formality of her voice. Well, she had been under a lot of
strain lately. Judd got to his feet Come on, honey, lets get back in the air. Weve got some flying to
do.
Where are we going now? she asked, but she was getting obediently to her feet.
Where you should have gone as soon as you realized you were in trouble: to the authorities. Theres
a man I know in Tucson. Were going to look him up and tell him your story. He can sort the rest of
this out. Hes good at things like that.
But, Judd, I cant prove a thing! Thats why I didnt go to the authorities in the first place!
Well let Maddock worry about proving things. Lets go.
Two hours later they were in Tucson. With determined perseverance Judd pushed himself and Honor
through several levels of red tape until Honor finally found herself talking to a harried-looking man in
a rumpled suit and tomato-sauce stained shirt. Judd never left her side as she wearily went through
her tale over and over again. She was astounded when she was informed that the Feds were more than
a little interested.
Miss Knight, you are a godsend to a poor, struggling government employee, the man called Craig
Maddock announced at the end of the long, trying interview. Weve had Garrison and Prager under
investigation for months. We know theyve been arranging shipments of arms out of this country and
then selling them overseas, but there were too many missing facts for us to close the net. We didnt
know about that San Diego warehouse, for example. Well get in touch with the local people there
and tell them to have a look.
Mr. Maddock, I have no idea whether or not theyre using that warehouse for anything illegal,
Honor protested quickly. I just happened to remember hearing Nick mention it one time. She had
remembered a good many details under Maddocks persistent, skillful questioning. I wondered why
Garrison and Prager needed a warehouse but I never bothered to question it. I guess I just assumed it
had something to do with a business sideline. Her voice trailed off weakly.

Judd leaned forward intently. He had been sitting beside Honor for the last two hours and he could
see how utterly exhausted she was. I think youve gotten just about everything out of her that youre
going to get, Maddock. Let me take her someplace where she can get some rest. Shes been on the run
for weeks. Shes had it.
Maddock nodded. Should have come to us in the first place, he told Honor firmly. Could have
saved yourself a lot of trouble.
Yes, sir, she said politely, and only Judd recognized the underlying mockery. Good Lord! Couldnt
she even resist baiting a government agent? But Maddock didnt appear to notice.
With the information youve given us this afternoon we should be able to move quickly on the case.
We can move quickly at times, you know, he added wryly. Since this office has been handling the
case from the beginning, we should be able to wrap things up fairly rapidly. Thanks to the rendezvous
Judd has scheduled near the New Mexican border, we even know where Garrison and, perhaps,
Prager will be this evening!
Come on, Honor, Judd ordered, helping her to her feet. Were going to get a bite to eat and some
rest. He glanced at Maddock. Youll let us know when things are cleared up?
Maddock nodded briefly, eyeing Judd coolly. Ill let you know. There was a pause as Judd walked
Honor to the door, and then Craig Maddock spoke again. You came a little close to the line on this
one, didnt you, Raven? One of these days youre going to find yourself stepping over the edge.
Judd went still for an instant, his hand on the doorknob. Then he threw a derisive glance back over his
shoulder, his eyes meeting Maddocks in a level stare. When he spoke his voice was like silk. Now,
Maddock, you know I make it a policy not to ask too many embarrassing questions of my employers.
Not when the money is good. Just think of all the little odd jobs Ive done for you and your department
over the years. And you never bothered to give me any more explanation beforehand than Garrison
and Prager did! He tugged Honor through the door and shut it firmly behind him. A mercenary. That
was all he was even to people like Maddock, for whom hed taken more than one risk. A damned
mercenary.
It was over within twenty-four hours. Judd and Honor spent the night in an anonymous motel room
near Interstate 10. No one except Maddock knew where they were. Judd fed a very quiet Honor
dinner and then took her upstairs to the room. She was asleep before he got out of the shower. For
several moments he stood watching her curled body under the bedclothes and acknowledged the depth
of the strange possessiveness he was feeling.
Possessiveness as not a familiar emotion to him. What was it about tins woman that had stirred it to
life? She looked so tired, so vulnerable, lying there sound asleep. Very carefully, so as not to disturb
her, he crawled into bed beside her. There was another double bed in the room but he had no
intention of sleeping in it. Honor belonged to him now. He had saved her life.
Judd lay staring thoughtfully at the ceiling for a long time that night, thinking about where he would
take his woman when this was all over. Perhaps Acapulco or one of the resorts in Baja. It was odd to

plan a trip with someone else in mind. He had spent so many years alone with only himself to worry
about that it felt distinctly strange to think in terms of taking care of someone else. Not bad, just odd.
On that note he fell asleep.
***
It was the ringing of the telephone that awakened Honor the next morning. She came gradually alert,
aware that she was not alone in the bed. Before she could figure out the location of the phone Judd
had stretched an arm across her breasts with easy intimacy and picked up the receiver.
He lay propped on his elbow gazing down at her with dark, lazy eyes as he talked to Craig Maddock.
Honor lay tense and uncertain, feeling trapped in the bedclothes. She hadnt meant to share the bed
with Judd but shed been so exhausted the previous evening that she couldnt even remember getting
ready for bed. Obviously she hadnt been able to stay awake long enough to tell him he was to use the
other bed, she realized in self-disgust.
Okay, Maddock, Judd said finally. Ill leave a number you can use to get in touch if you need us
again. Okay. Yeah, sure, I understand. So long.
Honor tried to sink farmer back into the depths of the bedding as Judd reached across her again to
replace the receiver. He looked down at her, his dark gaze intent but not worried. Its all over,
honey. They picked Garrison up at the rendezvous point last night. He was armed. Praget is out of the
country but theyll pick him up as soon as he sets foot back on U.S. soil. The Feds are going to keep
Garrisons arrest quiet until theyve got Prager, too. Maddock says they found several cases of illegal
weapons in that San Diego warehouse, by the way. All the evidence they need.
So its really all over? Just like that? she whispered, unable to believe that all the weeks of worry
had finally ended.
Judd touched the side of her face with a strangely gentle finger. She stayed tensely still beneath his
touch. Everythings going to be okay now, honey. Ive been thinking. Youre out of a job and I can
afford to take a little time off even though I didnt get paid for bringing you out of Mexico.
Honors expression must have warned him that hed phrased that last part badly because Judd
immediately shook his head, half-smiling. I was only joking, honey. About getting paid, I mean.
Anyhow, as I was saying, I thought we could go away together. Maybe Acapulco. Or theres a fancy
resort on the tip of Baja. Would you like that? If you dont want to go back to Mexico, we could go to
Hawaii. Whatever suits you, he demanded magnanimously.
She tried to sit up in bed and he obligingly removed his hand so that she could do so. Without a word
Honor pushed back the covers, her hands trembling with the force of her anger. Just who the hell did
he think he was? The cotton nightgown she was wearing trailed behind her as she climbed out of bed
and started toward the bathroom. She had only one goal in mind now: to get dressed and go home.

Honor?
The white sheet fell to Judds bare waist as he sat up, frowning. Honor glanced back and saw the
faint uncertainty in his face and wondered at it. Did he really think shed go anywhere at all with him
now? What blind arrogance!
Go wherever you like, Judd. Have fun. She padded across the floor toward the bathroom and turned
once more to cast him a chilled look. Dont worry, you wont come out of this job unpaid. Ill be
happy to give you the two thousand I owe you. I wouldnt want you to think Im going to stiff you out
of your normal fee!
The lines of his face hardened into that familiar unemotional mask. Honor saw the promise of menace
there but she chose to ignore it She was safe now. She had nothing to fear. What the hell are you
saying, Honor? he bit out.
She pretended to consider the question. I suppose Im feeling reasonably grateful now that its all
over. I know I should thank you for getting me out of that situation, even though you did it in your own
unique fashion. Lucky for me you do have a few scruples, isnt it? But youd probably rather have the
two thousand than my thanks, anyway.
Damn it, Honor! He started to climb out of the bed behind her. What is it with you today? Are you
still worn out? Do you need more rest? He glared at her, clearly trying to work out an explanation
for her cool behavior. It was obviously not what he had been expecting.
Im fine, Judd, She managed a very brilliant smile. Now, if you will excuse me Im going to take a
shower and then Fm going to pack and go home to Phoenix. I hope youll have a good time all alone
on your vacation. You probably will. You seem quite accustomed to spending time by yourself.
His expression was set in the savage lines of a bird of prey, Youre coming with me, Honor, he
stated evenly. To Acapulco or Hawaii. You belong to me now. Were going to get to know each
other, be together. Live together!
Thats not possible, Judd.
What the hell do you mean, its not possible? he demanded.
Honor took a deep breath and then said what had to be said, Judd, Im grateful to you for ending the
crisis. But I can never forget that when the chips were down you didnt really trust me. That night we
spent together was not the turning point for you that it was for me. I gave you everything I had to give
that night and the next morning you just went ahead with business as usual. She moved one hand in a
flat gesture of finality. Whatever I was beginning to feel for you. down in Mexico died the morning
after we made love. You killed it when you made it plain that the night we had together meant nothing
to you in terms of trust or love or anything else thats important.
For Gods sake, Honor! I saved your life! I rescued you! How the hell can you stand there and tell
me you feel nothing for me now?

I didnt say I felt nothing. I said I was grateful, remember? she reminded him harshly. But thats all
I feel. Im damn grateful Garrison was dumb enough to give himself away on the phone and Im
grateful you had enough in the way of scruples to bother checking out my story. But Im not going to
sleep with you out of gratitude! The man I choose to sleep with will be someone who loves and trusts
me completely. A man who would go to the wall for me just because he cared. He wouldnt wait to
work out the logic of the situation before he decided which side to take. Hed be of my side come hell
or high water, regardless of the damned logic of the thing! She was aware that her voice was rising
and her hands were clenching into fists. Deliberately Honor took deep breaths, striving to regain her
control. She had lost her self-control far too many times with this man. It was time she took a leaf out
of his book!
Honor, I made it clear I would protect you right from the start! Judd raked a hand through his hair,
dark eyes gleaming with frustrated anger. What more did you want from me?
Trust. I wanted you to be one hundred percent on my side, no questions asked. I wanted you to have
absolutely no doubts about me.
Just because wed been to bed together? he demanded incredulously.
Because I thought wed made love together, she corrected savagely. But I was wrong, wasnt 1?
Nothing changed for you that night. You woke up the next morning still the same cold, unemotional
robot you were before you went to bed with me. Well, you got your proof and you did your duty by
rescuing me. But dont expect anything more than gratitude from me, Judd Raven. Because I havent
anything more to give a cold-blooded mercenary who trusts his damned airplane more than he does
me!
She walked into the bathroom and shut the door far too quietly behind her.

CHAPTER SEVEN

The apartment in Phoenix had never looked more inviting. Honor turned the key in the lock, knowing a
vast sense of relief at being home. There had been too many lonely nights of wondering if she would
ever be able to return. Her rakish little Audi was still parked sedately in the drive where she had left
it that morning so long ago. Honor wondered if the battery still functioned.
The inside of the spacious one-bedroom apartment was exactly as she had left it, except, she noted
wryly, all her plants had died. No, the little collection of exotic cacti in the corner of the window
appeared to have survived. She walked across the white carpet to examine the array of thorny plants.
Other man the dead house plants, everything looked fine, in fact It was hard to believe that nothing in
her home had changed, when she herself had been through so much. The sophisticated yet softly
romantic decor looked as it always had. The meandering peach velvet sofa, which formed an S shape
in front of me white fireplace, didnt even look dusty. The gilt antique desk in front of the garden
window was still piled high with the books and papers she had left on it. There was even a delicate
bone china coffee cup left on the round oak dining table.
She was home.
With a sigh of relief Honor carted her small suitcase into the bedroom, slinging it onto the round,
flounced bed. She was home, but for a while there in Tucson she hadnt been at all sure she was going
to be able to make the last leg of her journey. The raven who had hunted her down in Mexico didnt
appear inclined to relinquish its prey.
There was nothing Judd could actually have done to stop her from going home, Honor told herself
briskly as she unpacked, but all the same she had known more than a shade of uncertainty when she d
faced the implacable expression in those night-dark eyes.
Still, by refusing to succumb to the uneasy fear he generated in her, she had made it out of the motel
room that morning and into a cab. From there she had gone to the airport and hopped one of the short
flights to Phoenix. Honor hadnt dared to glance back as the cab pulled away from the motel, but she
had sensed Judd watching her from the window.
There had been no mistaking his mood, either, she reminded herself grimly. Every line of his lean,
hard body had been almost vibrating with the effort of will he was exerting to hold himself in check.
Honor had been unable to escape from the dangerous confines of the motel room quickly enough as far
as she was concerned. At any moment she had feared Judd would simply stop fighting his instincts,
reach out and grab her. She still wasnt certain how he had managed to control himself. Maybe it was
simply that hed spent so many emotionless, self-controlled years already that he wasnt sure how to

let go, even in anger and frustration.

Whatever it was that had held him in check during those tense moments while she changed into her
jeans, called a cab and fled the room, Honor decided she was safe now. Judd might have decided he
wanted her, but she was sure he would recover from the fleeting emotion as soon as she was out of
the picture.
He could damn well go back to his airplane for all she cared!
Judd Raven seemed to have the emotional responses of a wild creature, a lone hunter who had spent
far too much time by himself. He could be provoked to last or to violence but he didnt waste
emotional energy on more refined feelings like trust and love.
Honor dashed a hand across her eyes as she piled her clothes into the washing machine. Now why in
hell was she crying? It was because her own emotional reactions werent nearly as limited as Judd
Ravens, she assured herself. She had been through a trying ordeal and it was natural for her body to
work off some of the stress. She was willing to bet Judd had never cried a tear in his life!
Morosely she stood staring at the glass door of the washing machine, watching as the clothes sloshed
around. For some reason the scene that day by the village stream flashed into her mind and she
remembered Judds expression as hed finally figured out that she was playing a game with him, a
game he could win. For just a short while, there had been traces of genuine laughter in those glittering
dark eyes. And she, idiot that she was, had assumed from such limited evidence that the man was
human and that he could be reached on a human level.
Honor turned away from the sight of the spinning clothes. The last thing she wanted to recall was her
own weak, very human and all too female nature! How could she have been so emotionally stupid as
to read so much into that single night in his arms? She had actually awakened the next morning
believing herself to be falling in love with the man!
And all hed felt was male satisfaction at having conquered a woman to whom hed been attracted.
Honor didnt lie to herself now. She knew Judd was right when he accused her of romanticizing what
was merely a straightforward physical relationship. Well, shed learned her lesson. What in hell had
made him think shed stick around for more of the same? In rising disgust Honor realized she was
having to dash away more dampness from her eyes.
***
The business of setting back into her normal round of activities began within twenty-four hours of her
return to Phoenix. Honor threw herself into the task with a vengeance, knowing she needed outside
stimuli to help her recover both emotionally and physically from the weeks of feeling hunted.
There were a lot of complicated explanations to make, too, she soon discovered. Her unannounced

departure to Mexico had taken all her friends by surprise. Many had assumed she was still in Hong
Kong. No one knew shed been south of the border.
Not wanting to go into a long, involved explanation of her absence, Honor brushed off the questions
by saying shed wanted some time away after her return from the Orient. Steve Melbourne, however,
demanded a bit more in the way of explanations.
So youre finally back from Hong Kong? her former boyfriend began without preamble when she
phoned him the morning after her return. Sylvia told me you were back in town. And without that guy
Prager, too. Can I hope for the best? Are you free tonight, for example?
Honor took a deep breath and then smiled to herself. Oh, yes, Im quite free tonight, Steve. She had
never felt so free in her life!
And Prager?
Im not seeing him anymore, she murmured feelingly.
Great! Pick you up at seven. We can toast each others freedom.
Whats that supposed to mean? Youre not seeing Evie these days?
She took that job in Denver. I guess shes made her priorities pretty clear, hasnt she?
Steve, you know she would have been a fool to turn down that promotion, Honor chided gently,
What about me? What the hell was I supposed to do? Give up my job and follow her to Denver?
One of you had to do something or give up the relationship. I gather youve chosen to abandon the
relationship.
Ill tell you all about it tonight. I could use a nice shoulder to cry on.
Steve Melbourne wasnt crying when he arrived at seven oclock that evening, but it was obvious
hed been under something of a strain. They had developed an easy friendship since the end of their
romance, and Honor sympathized with him, although she had felt powerless all along to help the
situation between him and Evie Newcomb.
Its this damned womens lib business, Steve complained over drinks in a pleasant fireside lounge.
His light blue eyes were meditative and somewhat resentful. Steve was a good-looking man in his
early thirties, a very corporate-looking man, Honor had often thought The kind you couldnt imagine
in anything besides a three-piece suit, even here in Phoenix where people tended toward the casual.
His tawny hair and tanned features fit well with the business image. He was also very good at his job
of comptroller for a large Phoenix firm. Hed go far, but so would Evie Newcomb. It looked as if
they werent going to make the journey together.
Come on, now, Steve, one of the things youve always admired about Evie was her brilliance on the

job. It was natural shed be faced with this kind of decision sooner or later. You must have seen it
coming.
Yeah, I suppose so. I was living in a fantasy world thinking we could have it all. You cant have it
all these days, can you, Honor? Maybe you never could.
You can still make your own choices, she reminded him.
You mean follow her to Denver?
You could get a good job there. It probably wouldnt hurt you at all careerwise, Honor pointed out
gentry.
If she loved me she would have stayed here in Phoenix!
If you loved her youd go to Denver.
Steve shrugged uneasily. Looks like a no-win situation. But I really didnt bring you out tonight to
spend the whole evening talking about me and Evie. Tell me what youve been doing for the past few
weeks. No one knew when you were coming back. No one was even sure where you were. We just
assumed youd stayed in Hong Kong for some extra sightseeing.
I, uh, had some time, so I did a little traveling, she told him dryly. For some reason she simply
didnt feel like going into all the details. Not yet. Her reticence seemed to make him all the more
curious, however, and she found herself deliberately looking for ways to switch the topic of
conversation.
Is it Prager? Are you upset about not seeing him anymore? Steve finally asked commiseratingly.
To tell you the truth, I hope I never see that man again! Honor saw the astonishment on her friends
face and laughed ruefully. Im not working for Garrison and Prager anymore, Steve. As a matter of
fact, I shall be pounding the pavement soon, looking for a job. Any ideas?
Sure. How about Evies old job? he shot back wryly.
Oh, shed love to hear that I was working in the same firm as you! I think she was always a little
jealous that I knew you first.
Maybe it would bring her back to Phoenix, he hazarded wistfully. You know, there was something
to be said for the good old days when a man could just pick out a woman, hunt her down and drag her
back to his cave and keep her there.
Honor blinked, aware of a chill down her spine. A man like Steve would never step out of his threepiece suit long enough to resort to such primitive methods. Steve Melbourne was well and truly
trapped in the bonds of twentieth-century civilization. He, like most of the other men of his era, were
learning to deal with women within the framework of the new social more.

Looking at her friend across the small candle in the center of the table Honor suddenly realized just
how different Steve Melbourne and the other men of her acquaintance were from Judd Raven. It made
her realize just how lucky she had been to walk out of that motel room alone the previous morning.
Ravens hunting instincts were definitely pre-twentieth century, as was his lack of refined sensitivity.
She shivered in the warm, smoky lounge and remembered the rustic cantina where she had first seen
Judd.
In all honesty, she admitted now, Judds instincts, primitive as they were, had been correct on one
score. He had been right when hed said she couldnt have ever been truly involved with Steve
Melbourne in a full-scale love affair. She knew in her heart that if shed ever felt a fraction of the
passion with Steve that shed experienced with Judd, there would have been no way she could sit
across from Melbourne tonight and be a friend.
Hey, dont go moody on me, Steve complained good-naturedly. Come on, lets dance. I havent
danced since Evie left town.
Honor managed a smile, setting down her drink. What are friends for?
There was a certain solace to be had in dancing with a friend, however, Honor discovered. She still
had so many disturbing memories that had to be banished. Neither she nor Steve would be making any
demands on each other tonight and she knew she could relax and give herself up to the pleasures of
simple friendship.
Friendship. That was another of the refined sides of human nature about which she doubted Judd
Raven knew very much. He seemed singularly lacking in friends from what little she had learned
about him. Even his association with Craig Maddock, for whom he had apparently worked from time
to time, seemed more of a wary, adversary relationship than a friendship.
That faint flicker of unease coursed through her once more and she found herself clinging a little
closer to Steve Melbourne than she might ordinarily have done. What was the matter with her? She
was safe.
Will you be looking for a position similar to the one youre leaving at Garrison and Pragers firm? A
sort of administrative assistant post? Steve asked musingly.
Yes, I imagine so. That seems to be the kind of work I do best: coordinating schedules, lining up
details, summarizing data.
Evie always said you were very good at the administrative end of a business and good with clients,
too. That should be a marketable combination.
I hope so.
Might be tough to find another job that involves all that great overseas travel, though, Steve went
on.
Believe me, Ive had my fill of travel for a while!

I wish Evie hadnt been so interested in traveling to Denver, He sighed.

Steve, youre going to have to make a choice. How much does Evie mean to you? Honor asked
firmly.
A lot, he groaned. A hell of a lot.
Honor was genuinely glad to hear he had found with Evie the passion that had been missing in her
own romance with him.
Then what are you going to do about the situation?
He looked down at her bleakly. Youre saying I should start job hunting in Denver?
Its up to you, but it would definitely be one way of showing Evie how much you cared, wouldnt
it?
It would be a risk.
Women have been taking that kind of risk for men for years!
He smiled wryly. Youve got a point. I never thought of it that way before. I like to think Im a
modern sort of man, but sometimes I think life would be simpler if I werent quite so modern.
Evie probably wouldnt be half so interesting to you if she werent so modern!
Ouch! Steve chuckled ruefully. Im afraid youre right.
It wasnt until the music drew to a close that Honor saw Judd.
For an instant, as she came off the floor on Steves arm, Honor was transported back to that night in
the smoky cantina when shed first seen her hunter. Everything stood still as she absorbed the impact
and the implications of his presence.
He was sitting in a darkened booth at the back of the room. Dressed in black he seemed a part of the
shadows around him. But the glittering dark eyes burned with a cold, intense fire that seemed to reach
out to trap her. He didnt move as she stumbled slightly at Steves side, simply sat quietly watching
her as if she were prey that he could take his time collecting. There was no place she could run.
Honor? Are you all right? Steves concerned tones brought her head around a little too sharply.
Yes. Yes, Im fine. I just need to sit down for a while. Too many drinks on an empty stomach, I
suppose. What was Judd going to do? Would he cause a scene there in the lounge? Would he bide
his time and follow her home? Would he wait for her in the parking lot? Intense panic gripped her.
Because there could be no doubt about why he was there. No amount of rationalization would explain

his presence. Judd had followed her to Phoenix and she knew from the quiet, intent way he watched
her that he was on the hunt once again. And once again she was to be the prey.
Belatedly her survival instincts began to assert themselves. Damn him to hell! She was not a silly,
panicked little creature to be stricken helpless by the mere approach of the hunter. She could run, she
could fight back, she could summon help. This wasnt Mexico and she wasnt alone and friendless.
Judd Raven would not find her such an easy victim this time!
Honor! Are you sure youre all right? Why dont I order us some appetizers? Steves voice grew
more concerned as he carefully seated her.
She looked at him rather blankly, unable to focus on him because every fiber of her being was too
vividly aware of Judd on the other side of the lounge. That that would be great, Steve.
You stay here and Ill go find the hostess. If we wait for her to come around to us in this crowd
well starve to death!
Oh, no, please! You dont have to go find her But he was already on his way, weaving through
the crowded lounge in search of the cocktail waitress.
Honor felt abandoned and trapped. She sat frozen, not daring to glance in Judds direction. Would he
approach her now that Steve had left? This wasnt Mexico. He couldnt just drag her out of here, she
reassured herself. Then she tried another swallow of her drink, seeking courage.
For five long minutes she sat, refusing to let her gaze be drawn to the corner where Judd was seated.
They had to be the longest five minutes of her life. At any moment she expected to feel herself seized
in the ravens talons and carried away. Dressed in a soft crepe off-the-shoulder dress of chromeyellow she felt very vulnerable. A wide purple band emphasized her slender waist and the bright
color combination made her feel suddenly very conspicuous. She would have given anything if shed
only decided on a darker, less vibrant dress that evening. How could you hide in the shadows when
you were wearing something this exotic?
Damn it! Why did she feel she had to hide? She tried another sip of liquid courage and told herself
there was nothing Judd could do to her as long as she stayed close to Steve.
Which brought up the rather dismaying question of what Judd did intend to do to her. He hadnt been
pleased yesterday morning when shed walked out of that motel room, but hed made no real move to
stop her. Not then. Hed been firmly under control, as usual. What had made him decide to come after
her? Perhaps birds of prey simply didnt like the idea of having their victims walk away without
permission.
Was that it? Was he there for vengeance? Was that another of the rather primitive emotions Judd had
in his limited repertoire? Possessiveness? God! She was going to drive herself crazy wondering what
he was thinking and when he would pounce. Her fingers trembled around the glass in her hand, and,
unable to resist any longer, she cast a quick, furtive glance toward him.

He hadnt moved. But he was still watching her with that gleaming, utterly ruthless expression. When
their eyes met he raised his glass in a small salute but made no move to get up and approach her.
Anger blazed in her as she allowed herself to stare at him. Who the hell did he think he was to
intimidate her this way? She was not going to sit there and wait for him to come and get her. A slow
fury began to replace the nervous dread she had been experiencing and she snatched her eyes away
from his emotionless expression to glance around for Steve.
Melbourne was at the bar gathering up a tray of peanuts and a couple of drinks. He saw her look at
him and smiled, starting back through the crowd toward her.
When he reached the table she leaned forward impulsively, her fingers touching his jacket sleeve.
Steve, Im awfully sorry, but would you excuse me for a moment, please? Someone I know is sitting
on the other side of the room and I really should run over and say hello.
Well, sure. Steve glanced around questioningly but didnt seem to spot Judd. Ill be glad to come
with you. Or feel free to invite whoever it is over for a drink with us
Thats all right This wont take but a minute. Ill be right back.
Resolutely Honor got to her feet, automatically picking up her small clutch, and turned to make her
way toward Judds table. In that moment she couldnt have said where she got the nerve to make the
first move. It was not normally in the nature of the quarry to confront the hunter. But it seemed to
Honor that shed been doing far too much running lately.
From across the room he sat watching as she moved toward him. His glittering jet eyes never left her
face. Honor felt as if she were walking toward disaster but she refused to turn and flee from it now.
She could tell nothing by the expression on his face. His features were set in harshly carved bones
that betrayed nothing of his inner thoughts. Or perhaps that wasnt quite fair, she told herself wryly.
Perhaps that mask of his was the perfect expression of his personality: hard, cold, implacable,
emotionless.
A foot away from his table she stopped, calling on all her inner strength to handle the coming scene.
Good evening, Judd. What a coincidence seeing you here tonight. Going to be in town long? Her
voice was too light, too brittle, but it was under control.
No.
Another of your famous monosyllabic answers? A man of few words, arent you, Judd? She didnt
want to acknowledge the way even a single word from him stirred her nerves. Honor kept her head
high and her eyes as cold as possible.
Is your friend a better conversationalist? Judd asked far too politely.
Infinitely!
Were you planning on going home with him tonight?*

Yes! she lied passionately.

Have you told him about me?
No!
Youre starting to talk in monosyllables yourself Judd pointed out mildly.
Judd, what are you doing here?
Watching you flirt with that guy in the three-piece suit.
Are you drunk? she challenged suddenly, eyeing his glass.
Straight tonic water. Tastes awful. He took another sip.
Well, thats a switch from the tequila, I suppose, she muttered nastily.
He shrugged. I never drink before flying.
Youre planning on flying tonight? she asked, feeling the first slight flickerings of relief. Youre
going to leave Phoenix this evening?
Yes.
Then you are just here on business? She didnt quite believe that, but in that moment she wanted to
believe it.
In a matter of speaking.
Judd
Shall we go, Honor? Its getting late and weve got a long flight ahead of us Judd set down the
glass with an air of finality.
Honor sucked in her breath and automatically fell back a step as he raised his unreadable dark eyes to
hers. Except that they werent entirely unreadable now, she realized in shock. She had thought as
shed crossed the room toward him that his expression was the same emotionless mask she had first
seen in Mexico. When hed spoken to her there had been that familiar, cool tone in his words. But
quite abruptly she realized that there was something new and brilliantly dangerous in his dark gaze.
Judd Raven was barely in control of himself tonight. A dark, savage flame of fury burned in him and
she was the focus of it.
Honor backed away another step, other small bits of evidence forcing themselves on her attention.
She saw the way his knuckles were almost white as he gripped the glass of tonic water. The brackets
at the edges of his mouth were taut lines of menace. Thee was an unfamiliar rigidity in his lean,

coordinated frame, as if the force of his anger were an electrical charge.

Desperately she licked her lips, trying to regain her composure. Dont be ridiculous, Judd. Im not
going anywhere with you. This isnt Mexico. I dont have to go anywhere with you again!
Youre coming with me tonight, Honor.
No! Never!
If you involve your friend in the three-piece suit Ill probably wind up having to hurt him badly.
Think about that when you go back to his table.
You cant do this and you know it! she hissed.
Watch me!
Judd! Stop this! You know damn good and well you cant threaten me now.
Im not threatening you. Im here to collect whats mine. Very simple.
I dont belong to you, she breathed.
I saved your life.
That doesnt give you any right! And besides, I didnt particularly approve of the way you went
about it, remember? she grated fiercely.
You didnt understand at the time. Im going to try and make everything very clear to you this time
around. Are you coming with me now or is it going to be like it was in Mexico? Are we going to have
to do it the hard way?
She gasped. You arrogant bastard! Go to hell, Judd Raven! Im not going anywhere with you ever
again! Spinning around on her heel Honor fled back through the crowd to where Steve Melbourne
waited
Honor? Are you okay? You look upset. Steve climbed to his feet, an anxious expression on his
handsome features.
Take me home, please, Steve. Ive just had a very upsetting conversation with my acquaintance. I
really would like to go home.
Well, sure, if thats what you want. Should I say something to your friend? He had no right to upset
you like this. Steve frowned, collecting Honors purple shawl and taking her arm to guide her
toward the door.
No, no, its nothing. Belatedly she remembered Judds warning. It was just some news about a
mutual friend of ours that upset me. She mustnt involve Steve. She didnt want to bear the guilt for

putting him in Judds path.

She didnt dare glance in Judds direction as Steve escorted her out of the lounge but she could feel
the eyes of the raven on her as she walked out the door. Where could she go? A wave of hysteria
welled up inside her as Steve drove her back to her apartment That was the same question shed
asked herself the night she had fled Hong Kong. Which way lay safety?
Over and over again she tried to tell herself that this-time there was no need to run, but no amount of
rationalization could make her forget the dark fury burning in Judds eyes that night.
Shed seen him frustrated, even annoyed and angry, but never had she seen this kind of blazing rage.
He was the hunter whod had his prey snatched from his grasp. Nothing would satisfy him but to
regain possession of it.
Perhaps she could contact Craig Maddock? Did the government man have any real control over
Raven? Honor wasnt at all sure that he did. Judd was a law unto himself. Maddock had implied as
much when hed warned Judd that he was coming close to the edge. Surely terrorizing her was taking
a step over the line? But what could Maddock do about it? What could anyone do about Judd Raven
once hed decided on his target.
Good night, Steve, she said as the car drew up in front of her building. Im really sorry to have to
end the evening so abruptly. Perhaps some other time?
Ill walk you to the door, Steve began, only to have Honor wave him aside.
No, thats fine. Ive got my key ready. Dont worry about hanging around. Please. Ill see you soon.
Good night, she said again and practically leaped from the car.
Steve Melbournes car pulled reluctantly back out into the street just as she turned the key in her lock,
and Honor was both relieved and appalled to see him leave. He didnt really represent protection,
she reminded herself. He would only get hurt if he got in Judds way and she didnt want to be
responsible for that.
Hurriedly she let herself inside the dark apartment, flipping on the light switch with impatient fingers
and glancing around. A part of her had been half-afraid that she would not find herself alone, but she
was safe. There was no raven waiting to pounce from the shadows. How much time did she have?
Five minutes? Ten? Would Judd follow her straight from the lounge or would he take his time? Hed
seemed in no hurry.
It went against the grain, against every bit of pride she possessed, but Honor knew that she was going
to run again. She needed to get out of Judds reach and the only way to do that was to flee. Surely his
fury would wear itself out. He couldnt be feeling anything more for her than frustrated desire. He
didnt have any more meaningful emotions, she told herself savagely. But how strong was his desire?
How far would he follow her to assuage it?
She threw her clothes into the suitcase, not bothering to fold anything. Jeans, shirts, underwear, a

toothbrush. God, she was getting good at this. Too good. In a matter of minutes she knew she had the
essentials. Then she grabbed her purse, which still contained the money shed brought back with her
from Mexico.
California. This time it would be California. A big city like L.A. where even a raven would find the
hunting tough. Then shed call Maddock and ask for help.
Picking up the car keys on the way down the hall, Honor opened the front door and stepped out onto
the walk, her suitcase in her hand. She only took one step before she realized that this time there
would be no chance to run.
Judd stepped out of the shadows at the end of the walk, striding toward her with the relentlessness of
a circling bird of prey. She was trapped.

CHAPTER EIGHT

His voice was still even, but his words terrified her. You cant run and hide from me, Honor. Im the
man who can find you in the heart of Mexico. I found you here in Phoenix. And Id have found you
regardless of where you decided to run tonight.
Damn you, Judd! You have no right to terrorize me like this! Ill call Maddock! Ill call the police, I
swear it. Leave me alone. Youve done all the damage youre going to do in my life!
What about the damage youve done to mine? he startled her by asking. He was only a couple of
feet away. In another moment he would be able to put out his hand and touch her. Honor stepped back
into the doorway.
What on earth are you talking about? she breathed, her eyes widening.
Never mind, he muttered abruptly. We can talk this all out later. Right now Im in a hurry. Have
you got everything youll need? He came to a halt in front of her and gestured at the suitcase in her
hand.
Need for what? She glared at him warily.
For a vacation in New Mexico, naturally, he drawled. Thats where were going this evening.
Not on your life! She jumped backward and tried to slam the door. It caught on the immovable
object of his booted foot. Judd, I mean it! You cant do this! Not in this country!
This is between you and me, he grated. Its got nothing at all to do with the laws of the nation. He
thrust open the door and reached for her.
Honor dropped the suitcase and turned to flee. It was a useless exercise. Without any apparent effort
Judd caught her lightly around the waist, pulling her back against him. When she tried to strike out at
him with her hands he snagged her wrists. Holding her as she panted and struggled in the circle of his
arm, he withdrew a length of fabric from one pocket.
Judd, dont you dare! Honor choked, outraged. But he ignored her, binding her wrists with a few
deft twists of the fabric strip. She opened her mouth to scream and found herself gasping for breath as
he heaved her easily over one shoulder.
By the time she recovered enough to attempt another shout for assistance Judd was picking up her
suitcase and locking the front door. Then he was striding back down the walk toward a dark car

parked at the curb.

This is kidnapping! she charged furiously as he stuffed her not urgently into the front seat of the car
and slid in beside her.
He started the engine, not glancing at her as he pulled away from the curb. I see it more as a matter
of recovering temporarily strayed property. Who was he, Honor? And if you make a try for that door
Ill stop the car and tie your feet, too.
She slanted a baleful glance at him but withdrew her questing fingers from the door handle. The car
was moving too swiftly now, anyway. Shed probably be killed if she tried to jump. Her outrage and
anger simmered at a high level but she certainly wasnt feeling suicidal. There was another factor
involved here, too. Now that hed actually put his hands on her again she realized she wasnt
genuinely afraid of him. Incensed, furious, angry, all of those, but not precisely afraid. He hadnt hurt
her when hed caught her and bound her hands. In fact, when she considered that he had been in a cold
rage when shed first seen him this evening, his touch had been surprisingly gentle. But, then, never in
the time she had known him had Judd Raven actually hurt her physically.
Honor? he prompted darkly. He was a friend. She was aware they were on the Interstate and
wondered briefly at their destination. The airport?
That Melbourne guy you told me about?
Yes! A friend! Do you know what a friend is, Judd? Its someone you can talk to. Someone you can
share your troubles with. Someone who understands you. Someone who wants to help you when
youre in trouble.
You didnt go to him for help when you got in trouble with Garrison and Prager, Judd pointed out
flatly. You ran all by yourself to Mexico.
I didnt want to expose him to any danger.
Because you knew he couldnt handle it?
For heavens sake, Judd! Whats the point of all this questioning? she gritted, sinking into her
corner and staring morosely out the window at the passing lights of the city.
If we had been friends before you found yourself in that mess with Garrison and Prager, would you
have come to me for help? he persisted coolly.
She shot him an uncertain glance. What was he getting at? Talk about an academic question! What on
earth makes you ask that?
Just curious. Would you have asked me for help, Honor?
He was deadly serious, she realized. Sighing, she gave up the attempt to avoid the question. Maybe,
she admitted cautiously, knowing very well that she probably would have run to him when she had

returned from Hong Kong. But then there would have been the problem of getting you to believe me,
wouldnt there? she tacked on too sweetly.
That brought his midnight eyes to her profile in a quick, scorching glance. If Id been your friend I
would have known Garrison and Prager werent related to you, he said simply.
Ah. The logic of the situation would have been clear right from the start, is that it? I understand.
How much do you charge your friends for your assistance in situations like that? Is there a different
rate from the one you charge Maddock, for example? Or strangers like Garrison and Prager? How do
you work it, Judd? Do you have a sliding scale based on ability to pay?
Honor, shut up, he bit out savagely. Just shut up or Ill lose my temper with you.
Im a little upset with you myself at the moment Ive already lost my temper, in case you hadnt
noticed!
His hands tightened on the wheel but his driving remained smooth and controlled. Was Melbourne
trying to turn your friendship back into something else? Does he want to sleep with you?
No!
Do you want to sleep with him?
Judd, Ive told you, hes just a friend, she shot back in growing exasperation. He was engaged to
another friend of mine named Evie Newcomb. Before I left for Hong Kong they were having some
problems. Today Steve called me up and said he and Evie were through and could he cry on my
shoulder. I said yes. Thats what friends are for, you see, Judd.
Why did he break off his engagement? Does he want you back?
This is getting ridiculous! No, he did not end the engagement because of me! Evie got a job in
Denver and left town.
So?
So Steve has a job here in Phoenix. Theyve decided they cant stay engaged very easily when
theyre going to be living so far apart. There. Thats the end of the story. Satisfied?
He should go to Denver and bring her home if he wants her.
That sounds like a solid male viewpoint on the problem.
What did you advise him to do? he asked, sounding curious now.
I advised him to go to Denver and get a job there so he could be with Evie.
To her great astonishment Judd seemed to consider that. Thats another possibility, I guess. In any

event he shouldnt have been out crying on your shoulder tonight.

Why not? she demanded furiously.
Because you belong to me, he retorted simply. And I dont want other men crying on your
shoulder.
Damn it, Judd, how many times do I have to Cell you that you dont own me just because you brought
me out of Mexico!
But he was concentrating on the airport turnoff and didnt bother to answer. Honor sat stiffly in her
seat, her mind churning with possible ways of escape. When he parked the car she would be able to
leap clear and make a dash toward the main terminal, perhaps. Or she could scream blue murder as
he carried her through the general aviation flight lounge. Maybe a policeman would come along.
In the end none of those alternatives presented itself. Judd simply parked the car at the curb, scooped
her up and carried her out onto the tarmac where rows of small private planes were sitting. He didnt
even carry her through a waiting area. There was no one else around on the darkened tarmac.
Before Honor fully realized she wasnt going to have a chance to even attract attention with a good
scream because of the noise of the jets taking off from the nearby commercial runway she found
herself strapped into the passenger seat of the Cessna. In only a matter of moments Judd was
receiving permission from the control tower to taxi out onto the runway. Honor sat raging helplessly
in her seat, her bound hands useless in her lap. She found herself looking down at the receding lights
of Phoenix as the Cessna leaped obediently into the air a few seconds later.
What in the hell do you think youre going to do with me in New Mexico? she demanded above the
roar of the engine.
Were going to become friends, he told her and through her shock she was dimly aware that he
meant every word.
Judd, I hate to disillusion you, but good friendships dont start out like this! She held out her bound
wrists accusingly.
Why dont you try to get some rest, Honor? Its a long trip.
Surprisingly enough she did manage to doze a little. The glow of the cabin lights and the steady throb
of the engine were strangely lulling even though Honor had never been overly fond of flying. Perhaps
she was just tired, or perhaps it was because, deep down, she trusted Judds flying skills. Whatever
the reason, when she woke sometime later the Cessna was beginning to descend.
Where are we? she asked sleepily, lifting her hands to rub her eyes and discovering she was still
bound. She lowered them again in disgust.
Just outside of Albuquerque. A small airfield on the edge of the city.

Are we landing for fuel? she asked hopefully, plotting means of escape.
No. Were home, Honor.
Home. You live here in Albuquerque?
Yes.
The airstrip was deserted as the Cessna rolled to a stop at the far end. There was no chance of yelling
for help, Honor acknowledged as Judd lifted her out of the cabin and set her on her feet. And she was
too stiff from the long flight to make an attempt at running, she decided wretchedly. Honor watched as
the plane was carefully put to bed for the night; this time she managed to resist any cracks about
Judds close association with his Cessna. Instinct told her he might hot be in the best frame of mind
for that kind of comment.
Here, let me see your hands, he murmured gruffly as he finished chocking the wheels and came
forward to take hold of her wrists. When she held them out stiffly he deftly untied the strip of fabric.
Theres no place to run out here, honey, he advised, surveying her face in the glow of an overhead
light. The city is several miles away and theres noting but desert in any other direction you care to
look.
You cant keep me here indefinitely, Judd, and you know it. She absently chafed her wrists,
although they had not been bound very tightly.
I know, was all he said and led her toward an open jeep that was parked beside one of the nearby
buildings.
He drove only a short distance from the airport, pulling into the curving drive of what appeared to be
a house done in the southwestern adobe style. There were no other houses close by, Honor observed
uneasily as she climbed obediently out of the jeep and was led toward the front door. In the moonlight
the adobe structure stood alone and aloof, rather like its owner.
I havent been here in a couple of weeks so theres probably not much to eat except whatever I left
in the freezer. I can get you a drink though, Judd began as he opened the door and urged Honor into
the tiled hall.
She ignored the offer of a drink, glancing around quizzically. The house was a cool blend of colonial
Mexican and local Indian colors and textures. The woven wall hangings were genuine, she saw at a
glance, and Honor rather suspected that much of the heavy, carved furniture was, too. Large windows
in the living room looked out into a private courtyard. A very self-contained sort of house, she
thought. More refined and graceful than she would have expected, knowing what she did about the
owner. Perhaps Judd had put into his house some of the things he couldnt put into his emotional life.
Do you like it? he asked from behind her and she spun around to find him watching intently as she
surveyed his home.
As prisons go, I suppose its not bad. Did you bring me all this way to rape me in the comfort and

convenience of your own home? she mocked deliberately. Honor didnt like the way she had reacted
to the question in his eyes. Damn it, she was not going to let herself be misled again by this man. Hed
fooled her once by making her think he could be reached on a human level. He wouldnt fool her
twice.
Your room is down mat hall, he told her, dark eyes hardening at the sharpness of her tongue.
Fine. Then if youll just hand me my suitcase Ill go to bed. Its been a very trying evening. Perhaps
she could bluff her way through this, Honor decided on a small note of optimism.
He looked a little confused, as if things werent going quite according to plan. A drink, first, he
stated, heading toward the kitchen. Ill fix us both a drink. We could use it.
As soon as he stepped around the corner and flipped on the kitchen light switch, Honor grabbed her
suitcase and dashed down the hall to the room he had indicated would be hers. Once inside she
whirled and slammed the door, locking it firmly behind her. Then, leaning back against it, she
surveyed her quarters.
Not bad, actually, she decided wryly. Mexico had been a lot worse in terms of creature comforts. The
windows looked out into the courtyard. There was a wide double bed with heavily carved posts at
the far end of the room, and the rugs on the floor were beautiful examples of Indian weaving. Best of
all there was a private bath, which she could see through a door that stood ajar. Straightening, she
stalked across the room and checked to be sure the sliding glass doors were also locked.
It was a very masculine sort of room, she decided, experimentally opening a closet door. But that
stood to reason. It was obvious Judd Raven didnt have much in the way of feminine influence in his
life. She was just taking in the meaning of the shirts hanging in the closet when Judds voice sounded
grimly from the other side of the door.
Honor! Stop acting like a child. Open the door. Ive got a brandy for you.
No, thanks. She peered more closely at the boots on the floor. Damn!
Honor, he said again, sounding as if he were striving for patience, youre in my room. Yours is the
one across the hall.
Honor, having reached the same conclusion, swore softly again and shut the closet door. Im not
coming out, Judd. Im sure you can understand why. Sorry about the mix up in the rooms but I imagine
you can make do. Good night!
Honor, I want to talk to you!
Im not feeling chatty. Go hold one of your delightful single-word conversations with yourself! She
opened her suitcase and began fishing around for her nightgown and toothbrush. She was exhausted.
There was a long silence from the other side of the door and for an instant Honor almost felt guilty at
having spoken so harshly. Immediately she scolded herself for the stupid reaction. What was the

matter with her? The man had just kidnapped her, for Gods sake!
She didnt actually hear him walk back down the hall. He moved too silently for that, but Honors
instincts told her when he was no longer standing on the other side of the door. Heaving a shaky sigh
of relief, she made her way into the bathroom and began getting ready for bed. In the morning she
would find a way of dealing with Judd Raven. Tonight she had been through too much. She needed
her rest. With all the doors locked she felt safe enough to go to bed.
***
It must have been nearly two in the morning when Honor awoke in the middle of the wide bed to the
realization that she was not alone in the room. For a disoriented moment she lay bunking in the
darkness, trying to remember exactly where she was and why things werent right.
Then she saw the dark, dangerous figure standing at the foot of the bed and her sleep-bemused brain
finally began to clear. She struggled up on the pillows with a gasp, her eyes wide and startled in the
moonlight.
Judd watched her as she took in the sight of him standing so menacingly at the end of the bed. One
hand rested on a high, carved bedpost and in the other he held a snifter of brandy. His eyes were
gleaming jewels reflecting the silvery light of the moon as he stared down at her.
Youre sleeping in my bed, he drawled softly.
Honor stared at him, unable to move. In that moment she couldnt have fled, not even to save her own
life. She could feel the waves of his desire fanning her like dark wings. The knowledge that he
hovered so close sent a tremor through her but it was a tremor compounded as much of remembered
passion as it was of fear. She had lain in Judd Ravens arms once before and it had been ecstasy. For
some reason mat seemed to be all her mind wanted to recall.
Still, a part of her refused to succumb so easily to the illusory love he offered. She would not be a
victim again of her own romantic imagination. No, Judd. The whispered denial came from between
dry lips. Her whole mouth was suddenly dry. Awkwardly she touched the tip of her tongue to the
corner of her lips. No.
But you are, he insisted far too gently. Youre sleeping in my bed. Ive been sitting out in the front
room thinking about it for an hour. He dropped his hand from the bedpost and paced a step closer,
gazing down at her hungrily. Why shouldnt I pick up where things went wrong? With you in my
arms? You were happy that night, Honor. You couldnt have faked your response. I would have
known. You wanted me that night as much as I wanted you.
Judd, she said, careful to keep her voice very even. Was he drunk? In the morning we can talk.
It was in the morning that everything went wrong last time, he mused and came a pace closer. It

will be different this time. I want you to understand how it is for a man
Her innate caution gave way to her remembered hurt and anger. Ive already learned how it is for a
man, she bit out scathingly. You made it very clear the last time. I dont want another lesson, Judd!
Were going to start over, Honor.
No, not a chance. But of course that was why she was there, wasnt it? He was going to try to
reestablish the physical relationship they had shared so briefly in Mexico. But why? Surely this man
didnt lack for women when he wanted them. Hadnt he once told her hed had a few interesting
affairs?
Yes, he countered, were going to start over and were going to start at the point where everything
went wrong last time. I want you to understand, this time. I want you to realize how I felt. He set
down the brandy glass on the bedstand.
Honor drew in her breath, knowing her time had run out. Judd was intent on his purpose tonight. If she
didnt make a move to run now it would be too late.
But even as she shoved back the bedclothes and scrambled for the far side, Honor knew deep inside
that it was already too late. She didnt stand a chance.
He caught her before she had taken more than three running steps toward the sliding glass door,
scooping her up in his arms and carrying her back to the bed. He dumped her into the middle of the
rumpled bedclothes and before she could twist free he came down on top of her, anchoring her
beneath him.
For a few moments she fought in blind panic, knowing it was hopeless and yet unable to think
logically and conserve her energy. It was the same way it had been that first night in Mexico when
shed hurled herself at him in useless attack.
And just as he had that night, Judd restrained her without hurting her, using his crushing weight and
superior strength to hold her flailing arms and pin her writhing legs until her energy waned.
Let me go, Judd! Let me go!
Honor, stop fighting me. Please, stop fighting me, he muttered hoarsely and then with a low groan
he bent his head and stilled her abruptly by taking her mouth with his own.
The shock of his warm, hungry mouth on hers washed through Honor like a tidal wave. Once again
she felt the depths of his desire and her resistance faded in the face of it. He wanted her in a way no
man had ever wanted her and there was no way she could ignore what that primitive passion did to
her senses. No wonder she had longed for the physical relationship to mean something far more
important to him. It had meant so much to her that her heart had refused at first to believe the feeling
wasnt mutual.
Let me have you, sweetheart, he growled against her lips. Give yourself to me. I want you the way

you were in Mexico, all soft and warm and clinging. He filled her mouth with his searching,
exploring tongue, urging a response from the dark, warm depths of her. His legs stretched out
alongside hers, the denim fabric of his jeans rough against her bare skin.
Honor felt her senses begin to spin and her emotions vacillated wildly from passion to anger and back
again. What do you want from me, damn you? she cried, her head moving restlessly on the sheet,
What does it look like? he rasped. Then he buried his lips against her throat.
You can get your sex from someone else. Leave me alone!
You dont understand! You didnt understand the morning we left Mexico and you dont understand
now! But Im going to show you what I mean this time.
She heard the resolute determination in his voice and knew, as she had known from the moment she
saw him at the foot of her bed, that she was lost. He wasnt fighting her for the embrace, nor was he
hurting her. Judd was simply intent on arousing her and she knew him well enough by now to know
that there was little one could do to stop this man once he had set himself a course of action.
She was aware the instant he treed her hands to stroke the line of her thigh. She tried to push at him
but already her body was succumbing to the demands of his. How could she resist the man she had
thought herself falling in love with such a short time ago? How could she resist the desire in him? It
reached out to envelop her, making her senses sing. She didnt hate Judd Raven. She could never hate
him. He aroused her passion and her anger and even, at times, her compassion, but she would never
be able to hate him. Especially not when he held her like this and made slow, intense love to her.
Slowly, slowly she stopped struggling, giving herself up to sweeping desire. He wanted her and she
wanted him. Why did she have to look beyond that point? For now she would ignore the future and the
past. Only the present counted.
She knew her implicit surrender must have been signaled immediately to Judd. Honor sensed the sigh
of longing and satisfaction that seemed to emanate from deep in his chest as he gathered her closer.
You wont regret it this time, sweetheart. This time youll understand! His hand slid along the
naked length of her thigh, pushing up the hem of her cotton nightgown. So soft, so sweet
Honor shuddered and her fingers lifted to twine themselves in the depths of his black-and-silver hair.
The feel of it was excruciatingly exciting and she moaned softly. Everything about him excited her.
The musky, warm scent of his body was intoxicating and the roughness of his unshaven cheek made
her twist with a new kind of restlessness.
;

Judd, I shouldnt let you do this to me. Not again.

This time it will be different, he vowed thickly. God, Ive been wanting you so, Honor. Did you
really think I could let you go? When I saw you with that other man tonight I wanted to break his
neck!

And me? she dared, driven by her own rising passion to taunt him as she had done so often down in
Mexico. What were you going to do to me?*
Exactly what I did do. Kidnap you and bring you home with me. Hell, lady, you have the power to
drive me out of my mind! He shifted abruptly, tearing impatiently at the buttons of his dark shirt. His
eyes burned into her face as he stripped the garment from his body and then reached down to unfasten
his jeans.
A moment later he lay naked beside her, his hand playing with the skirt of the nightgown while his
lips explored the curve of her shoulder. Honor shut her eyes letting herself thrill to the power he had
over her body. She clutched at the thrusting line of his back as he slowly worked the nightgown up
over her hips.
Oh, Judd!
He flattened his palm on her thigh, smoothing her skin as if it were priceless silk. Then he lifted her
slightly and pulled the nightgown off completely. Sweetheart,..! he breathed as he tossed the light
cotton garment heedlessly down onto the floor. He lowered his head to taste the budding nipple of her
breast and she trembled with pleasure as he made her softness swell.
When her legs moved, seeking his, Judd trailed his palm down the curve of her stomach and boldly
found the soft mound below. Honor moaned his name aloud and clung more tightly than ever, arching
her lower body into the warmth of his hand.
Slowly, with infinite sensitivity, Judd traced an erotic path to the hot, damp warmth between her legs.
With his knee he opened her thighs to his touch and when she shivered he soothed her with dark,
persuasive words that urged her to relax and let him fly away with her. Or at least that was how her
enthralled mind interpreted the words.
Her nails began to sink tantalizingly into his shoulders and Judds response was a low, aching groan
that spoke clearly of his barely restrained need. The part of her that always seemed inclined to tease
and taunt him drove her to seek a further reaction. She loved getting a reaction, any kind of reaction,
from him, Honor realized vaguely. Something in her seized on such slim evidence and pretended it
was meaningful communication.
Love me, Judd, she whispered, making no attempt to hide the arousal in her voice. It would have
been pointless. He must know the effect he was having on her body. Make love to me, darling.
She knew even as she spoke that love was not a word in his vocabulary but she used it anyway, as if
daring him to deny that he wasnt making love to her. He wouldnt, she told herself. He wanted her
too badly now to jeopardize her willing surrender with an argument; over the word she was using to
describe it.
And she was right. He didnt correct her, he simply ignored the word love altogether. Instead he
asked her for the words he wanted. Tell me you need me, sweetheart, he coaxed roughly as he
dropped tiny, stinging kisses into the pit of her stomach. Tell me how much you want me.

I want you, Judd. Oh, God, how I want you. She slipped her hands along his back down to the hard,
muscular male buttocks. His savagely indrawn breath was music to her.
Yes, he muttered huskily. Oh, yes, sweetheart. Touch me. Pull me into you. Show me you want
me.
Sensuously he stroked the inside of her leg down to her knee and back until she flexed it in an agony
of desire. Now, Judd. Please, now!
He didnt answer, moving aggressively over her instead until he lay along the length of her slender
body. Honor felt gloriously crushed and reveled in the sensual weight. of him. When he inserted his
legs between hers she obeyed the silent command and opened herself to him.
It was as he hesitated a moment longer, seeking to arouse her to a fever pitch of wanting, that she was
assailed by a lingering sense of vulnerability. She could feel the waiting heat of his manhood pressing
close and all at once a vision of the future infiltrated her mind. For just an instant she saw herself as
she had been that last morning in Mexico, hurt, angry and weak.
As if he could, read her mind, Judd was suddenly grating harsh words against her lips. No, he
ordered fiercely. No, dont go cold on me now. Its too late. Youve already given yourself tonight!
Then he moved against her softness, filling her completely in a hard, incredibly exciting way that
literally deprived her of breath.
By the time she regained the air in her lungs Honor was already caught up in the dizzying spiral of
Judds passion. He reached down to hold her hips more firmly to him, forcing her into the thrilling
pattern of the rhythm he was creating. Helplessly, heedlessly, she clung to him as if to a huge, soaring
bird. There amid the dangerous peaks at the top of the world he was her only source of safety.
Relentlessly he carried them higher until at last Honor could go no further. She felt the sweeping
tremors pour through her body and knew that Judd was as violently aware of her response as she
herself was. She heard him say her name over and over again as she collapsed mindlessly in his arms
and then he was following her over the edge and she held him tightly as he shuddered heavily and then
lay still.
It was a long time before Honor emerged from the mists to become faintly aware of a gentle
movement against the inside of her wrist. Opening her eyes she turned her head on the pillow and
found Judd lying beside her, his fingers gliding back and forth across the scar that looked so much
like a botched attempt at suicide. He stared at her as she regarded him from beneath half-closed
lashes.
Tell me about this, he demanded softly.
She hesitated, aware of the drying perspiration on his sleek, lean body and of how uncompromisingly
male he was in his nakedness. Hard and tough and aggressive. Not at all the sort of gentle, sensitive
man she had once dreamed of falling in love with. What had she done? Honor, tell me about the
scar.

She blinked. That night in Hong Kongthe night I found out what Garrison and Prager were really
up to it happened then, she said softly, the memory still unnerving her. When I realized that Nick
had seen me, I knew I had to run. I found a cab which took me to the hotel. I had it wait while I
collected my passport and the tickets. I had all of the tickets, Leos and Nicks as well as my own. I
took them, hoping it would slow them down. Even with connections it takes a while to buy
international air tickets. Luckily there was a flight out that night that I could get on. They had secondguessed me, I though. They arrived at the airport a few minutes behind; me. I just kept myself hidden
in the crowd. There wasnt much they could do. But Nick spotted me when I ran to catch my plane. Id
deliberately waited until the last second, so I could stay hidden as long as possible.
Keep going.
Honor shook her head helplessly. He swung his arm as I raced past him. I thought he was trying to
grab me and I dodged. I didnt realize until the last instant that he had a small knife in his hand. I guess
he thought if he could stab me quickly he could just: pretend Id fainted in his arms. But when I
dodged aside, the knife tip caught on my bracelet. It was a chain-link thing and it snagged the blade
for a few seconds. The bracelet came off and I kept going until I was safe behind the passengers
only sign. A few minutes later I was on the plane and they were helpless to stop me.
She shuddered. I only realized I was bleeding when I got on the plane.
I knew there had to be a good explanation. He sighed and leaned back against the pillows.
Did you? she challenged huskily.
You may be a romantic but youre too gutsy to resort to something like a suicide attempt! Judd
closed his eyes, continuing to hold her wrist loosely in his palm. Prager was sure there would be
some mark on your wrist, so I guess he knew hed cut you. The bastard. He and Garrison sure knew
how to dovetail that little snippet of information into the total story they gave me.
Yes. She lay watching him, wishing she had ESP. What in the world was he thinking?
I shouldnt have come in here tonight, he said as if answering her silent question. He put his arm
across his eyes. I didnt plan to, you know.
Honor went very still. Didnt you? She could hardly breathe.
He shook his head and lowered his arm to stare at her still, tense face. No. It was the thought of the
way you had run in here, locking the door on me. My own door! And Id found you with that other
man tonight after looking for you all day in Phoenix. Then there was that long, tiring flight. And a
couple of brandies. What with one thing and another, I guess I lost control. But you dont have to
worry. It wont happen again. This isnt the way to go about putting things right and I know it.
Honor swallowed. What exactly do you want to put right, Judd?
Honor, you misunderstood everything that mornings we left Mexico. I know I didnt come through as
your ideal of a romantic hero. I realize you woke up with some rosy image of me that I promptly

failed to live up to. I handled everything badly, but I could only think of one thing and that was to get
the whole damn mess straightened out. I wasnt thinking in terms of wine and roses and undying love.
I just wanted to get you out of Mexico and out of the mess in which youd found yourself. Im sorry,
honey, but one night in bed with you wasnt enough to answer all the questions that had been raised.
Maybe I should have instantly believed your tale. Maybe one of your friends would have believed it
without question. But Ive been living by myself for a long time. Im not used to placing unquestioning
trust in another human being. I had to find out for myself what was going on.
So I gathered, she managed faintly. And he wasnt accustomed to falling in love, either, she decided
silently. He probably didnt even have the vaguest idea of how to go about doing that. What happens
now, Judd? she asked starkly.
Now we start over. You belong to me, Honor. I realize Im not what youve been looking for in a
man. Youve made it damn clear you think Im a mercenary; bastard who knows nothing about the
sensitive side of life. And youre probably right. But Im not going to let you walk out on me again.
Do you understand?
You cant keep me here indefinitely against my will, Judd, she pointed out carefully, at a loss to
comprehend her own feelings in that moment.
He touched the side of her face with rough fingers. I only have to keep you here long enough to
convince you that you have to stay, he said simply.
Im not staying with you, Judd. I wont live with a man who doesnt know the meaning of love. She
met his eyes unflinchingly, refusing to give way beneath the grim determination she read in his gaze.
You have to give me a chance, Honor, he said softly.
Why?
Because youre too soft, too gentle, not to give me a chance now that youre no longer blazingly
angry with me. He rolled off the edge of the bed and got to this feet. Good night, sweetheart. Ill see
you in the morning.
Honor stared after him in confusion as Judd quietly let himself out of the room.

CHAPTER NINE

The next morning wariness replaced the confusion Honor had been feeling during the night. It was an
innate, feminine caution and it was again tinged with resentment. But as she climbed out of bed and
padded over to the window a lot of the feelings of anger were directed at herself.
How could she have been so weak as to let herself be seduced by Judd Raven a second time? There
wasnt another man on the face of the earth who could have managed to do that to her! What was it
about this one?
Several birds had landed in the courtyard garden and in the bright, early-morning light they hopped
cheerfully about having breakfast. These were cute little creatures, though, not menacing birds of
prey. They feasted on berries and seeds and warbled sweetly. If a raven had appeared in their midst
they would have scattered in a flash.
Her mouth curving wryly, Honor turned away from the window and started toward the bath. She
could feel the memory of the night imprinted on her body. There was a lingering, tantalizing ache in
the muscles of her thighs and it seemed to Honor she could vividly remember the sheer weight of the
man who had swept her away in the darkness.
What was she going to do?
A shower made her feel somewhat revitalized and by the time she emerged from it the aroma of
sizzling bacon did its share to lift her spirits. Judd was cooking breakfast.
But by the time she had dressed in a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved checked shirt with a mandarin
collar, Honor was no nearer a solution about how she should handle the situation. Clipping her amber
hair at the nape of her neck, she slipped into a pair of sandals and let herself out of the room.
She could, in the light of day, simply demand to be released or threaten to call the police. Would that
faze Judd? She remembered that he had seemed intimidated by Craig Maddock and decided that
calling the cops might not make much of an impression on her captor.
She could try running again. Her mouth twisted in disgust. Fat lot of good that would do if Judd
decided to come after her, which he undoubtedly would.
She could try screaming for help every time they came within earshot of a stranger. I f they came
within earshot of any passing strangers.
Or she could give Judd his chance. What Honor didnt quite understand was what he intended to

prove. She wasnt sure he did, either.

But he had given her a chance in Mexico. He had allowed her four extra days and during that time she
had managed to at least put a few doubts in his head about Garrison and Prager. If she hadnt been
given that chance, she might very well be dead by now. Judd hadnt trusted her completely or lost his
heart to her or anything else so dramatic, but he had at least checked out a portion of her story and his
willingness to do that had saved her life.
How much did she really owe him?
Honor had the uncomfortable realization that she owed Judd Raven her life.
It was on that thought that she entered the kitchen and discovered she was hungry. Judd was in the act
of stacking bacon on a hot platter as she walked cautiously through the door. He glanced up quickly,
the expression in his dark eyes almost as wary as her own.
Breakfast. He nodded toward the bacon and a large stack of toast.
Yes. Honor surveyed the huge pile of bacon. Who else is invited? Theres enough there to feed a
platoon.
Im not used to cooking for two, he muttered. Besides, I seem to remember you had a pretty
healthy appetite down in Mexico. He looked down at the bacon and toast. This was about all there
was in the freezer.
Why was she feeling an insane urge to show some appreciation of his efforts? It looks delicious. Im
starving. Going forward she reached out and helped herself to a strip of bacon. Judd looked visibly
relieved and Honor didnt know whether to be furious with herself for softening or to give in to the
small feeling of pleasure she got out of making him happy.
Wordlessly they sat down at the small kitchen table and began eating. Honor refused to meet Judds
eyes for several moments, her own uncertainty and caution making her uncomfortable. It was he who
finally broke the silence between them, extending a hand to touch her scarred wrist.
Honor. He waited until she finally looked up and men he went on very intently. I know I handled
things badly last night.
Thats putting it mildly, she managed with a flippancy she was far from feeling. Kidnapping is a
Federal crime, you know.
He shook his head impatiently. I dont mean in bringing you here. I mean in coming to your bed last
night. I honestly hadnt intended to do that. But sometimes you have a way of making me do things I
dont intend to do he concluded bluntly.
So its all my fault?
Judd stared at her. Maybe it would be better if we talked about something else, he finally decided.

It was abruptly obvious that he was backing away from the issue.
Such as? she challenged bravely. Judd backing down? Amazing!
Such as what were going to do today, he announced, removing his hand from her wrist and picking
up another slice of bacon. He seemed bound and determined to lighten his tone and the mood in the
kitchen. I thought we could have some fun together.
It was Honors turn to stare, this time suspiciously. Fun? She wasnt at all convinced Judd Raven
knew the meaning of the word. She had a clear memory of trying to teach him to play down in
Mexico. The effort had wound up with her getting dunked in the stream.
I, he told her rather grandly, am going to give you your first flying lesson. He waited for her to
show her unabashed delight.
Honor blinked at him. A flying lesson? she finally repeated weakly.
Youre going to love it, he assured her, gaining enthusiasm rapidly as he talked. Its a whole
different world when youre at the controls of an airplane. And I flying is something we can do
together.
Together. Honor rolled the word around in her head. What was Judd trying to do? Was flying his idea
of fun? Was he trying to extend to her the bridge of mutual play that she had once extended to him? If
that was the case, Honor realized, she didnt have the heart to turn him down. It was very clear to her
that this man had almost no experience at playing with another human being. But she also wasnt at all
sure a flying lesson was the proper way for him to begin. She remembered her first driving lesson. It
had not been fun.
Having made up his mind, however, Judd was not about to be dissuaded. Immediately after breakfast
Honor found herself being driven back out to the small airport where they had landed the previous
evening. This morning she noticed a few other small planes tied down near the old hangar and there
were half a dozen men hanging around.
They greeted Judd as he arrived with Honor in tow. He nodded familiarly but made no effort to pause
long enough to introduce Honor. Instead he got right to the business of refueling the Cessna and Honor
found herself obliged to follow every step he made. Her lesson, it seemed, was going to begin on the
ground.
By the time she had been walked through the pre-flight check of the aircraft and found herself
strapped into the pilots seat, her head was already spinning with the number of complex instruments,
facts and details Judd was blithely explaining.
Are you sure I should start off in the pilots seat? she asked as he got in on the passenger side.
Sure. Ive got a duplicate set of controls over here. Dont worry. Now at a small airport like this
where there is no control tower we all use one frequency on the radio. Every pilot approaching or
leaving the airport announces his location so others will know where to look for him in the sky. Okay,

here you go. Heres the key.

He handed it to her as if handing her the keys to a treasure chest. Honor took it gingerly, feeling more
apprehensive by the minute. Arent I going to just sort of sit here and watch?
Nope. Youre going to fly us right off the runway. Dont worry, its a cinch. This baby practically
takes off by itself.
Uh-huh. Look,Judd
Over there is the master switch, he interrupted, and went on from there to give her a brief resume of
the takeoff procedure. As he lectured, Honors palms began to grow damp; the checked shirt was
already beginning to cling to her skin.
The next thing she knew she was actually guiding the Cessna out onto the taxiway. The plane didnt
seem to want to go in a straight line.
A tailwheel plane is a little hard to steer on the ground, Judd said firmly. You have to correct for
the torque of the engine. You do it with the rudder pedals, he added quickly, his voice hardening.
An instant later he, himself, hit the rudder pedals on his side of the aircraft to straighten out the
weaving Cessna. Honor wasnt certain but she thought the action was accompanied by a muffled oath.
Her palms grew damper as she gripped the steering yoke.
Then she was at the end of the runway, pointing into the wind. Nervously she followed Judds crisp
directions, opening the throttle until the little craft was racing down the pavement She was dimly
aware of the fact that Judd was having to continue using the rudder to keep the Cessna in a straight
line and then, before she quite realized it, the plane was off the ground.
The ease with which it all happened took her by surprise. Before she could adjust to being in flight
Judd was calling out directions. His voice became harder and grimmer as the seconds ticked past
Get the nose down! Were not doing aerobatics out here! Watch the rate-of-climb indicator. We only
want to go up at about eight hundred feet per minute. Youll stall out if you go up too fast
Which one of the many instruments was the rate-of-climb indicator? Shed forgotten already. Honor
was searching frantically for it when Judd interrupted roughly. Okay, now start your turn. Like this.
He grabbed the controls and corrected for her too-rapid maneuver. Again she thought she heard
another stifled swear word. When the turn was completed and they were flying toward the distant
mountains, he released the controls again.
Just as Honor nervously took them over the radio chattered. Whats that? she demanded.
Another pilot telling us hes a couple of miles from the field. A Piper Cherokee. See? Hes at three
oclock.
Honor stared blankly around, wondering which direction was three oclock. No, I dont see him.
Judd, is he close to us? Vivid images of midair collisions assailed her. Where is he?

At three oclock, Judd repeated impatiently. Over there. For crying out loud, Honor, cant you see
him?
That little white speck?
Yes, damn it. Hey, keep the wings level!
Its hard to tell whats level up here in the air, she protested.
Then take a look at the artificial horizon, he ordered, tapping the glass face of another instrument.
What in hell do you think its for?
How should I know? Judd, maybe youd better take over.
No, by God. Youre going to learn to fly this thing if it kills me. Okay, level off, were high enough.
Not so fast! Ease off on the throttle. We dont need all that power to fly straight and level. Slowly,
Honor, slowly. Dont yank the throttle out like that.
The plane suddenly seemed to sink several feet in the sky. Honor panicked. What was that? What
happened?
Just a little turbulence. Nothing to worry about. Now, see that peak over there? Try flying toward it
Remember, keep the wings level. What the devil? Honor, the airspeeds disintegrating. Its going to
hell! Get the nose down, you idiot, or well stall. For Gods sake, cant you feel that shudder? Thats
the first warning of a stall. Get the damned nose down! He grabbed the controls again and eased the
plane back into a level altitude.
I dont know about this, Judd
Dont steer with the rudder pedals, he growled.
You did on the ground!
Thats different. Okay, lets try another turn. Easy, Honor, take it easy! You want to get us into a
spin? Watch the turn-and-bank indicator.
Oh, boy, am I having fun, Honor muttered savagely just under her breath.
What? He glared at her suspiciously.
Nothing. Forget it.
All right, now lets try to keep to one altitude, shall we? Judd asked with exaggerated patience.
Were all over the sky. Watch the ammeter for a minute, will you?
Which ones the altimeter?

This one!
There certainly are a lot of instruments, arent there? Honor gritted tightly, staring at the numbers
behind the glass in front of her. This isnt exactly like driving a car.
Of course it isnt. Keep the wings level, Honor.
The next half hour comprised the worst thirty minutes Honor had ever spent in her life. She was
soaking wet by the time Judd instructed her to turn the plane back toward the airport. Her instructor
sat grim and implacable beside her his vocabulary now consisting of a heartfelt oath every three
words or so.
Honor felt like doing more than a little swearing herself. She didnt care if she never rode in a plane
again in her life. Some fun.
Okay, were nearing the airport. Ill take over, Judd announced, sounding as relieved as Honor felt
when he took the controls. You can handle the radio.
I dont know what to say!
Ill tell you what to say and when to say it, he informed her evenly. Start by saying, This is
Cessna nine-nine Lima five miles out.
Honor seized the microphone and dutifully repeated the landing information in a laconic, laid-back,
southwestern twang that brought Judds head around in astonishment.
Where the hell did you get the accent? he demanded.
All pilots talk like that on the radio, she informed him sweetly. Everyone knows that. Commercial
pilots, airline pilots, private pilots, astronauts, military pilots. They all develop this lovely
southwestern drawl when they get on the radio. Havent you ever seen the movies? Or heard
astronauts landing? Its part of having the right stuff, you know. Even you talk like that on the
microphone, Judd.
I talk like that because I was born and raised in the Southwest! Its my natural accent!
Nope. You talk like that on the radio because thats the way pilots are supposed to talk. What do I
say next? she inquired, feeling more cheerful by the minute now that the controls had been taken out
of her hands. I like this part. Maybe I could just become a professional on the mike.
Judd cast pleading eyes toward heaven but he grimly gave her the rest of the directions, wincing
visibly as she repeated them in her newfound accent.
Cessna nine-nine Lima entering downwind for runway one-eight, she drawled at the appropriate
moment. Turning final
Judd brought the Cessna down with his usual expertise, allowing the rollout to bring them even with

one of the runway turnoffs. It had been a perfect flare-out and landing, and Honor was disgusted by it.
The least he could have done was to have bumped along the runway a bit He was just trying to make
her own performance in the air suffer by comparison. Show off, she muttered.
All right, now, Honor. Pay attention. Theres a lot to be done at the end of the flight. You have to
pull the mixture control, turn off the mag switches, lock the controls, shut off the radios and the master
switch
You should make a list! she told him crisply.
Ive got a list he countered. Right here. He reached behind his seat and produced a plasticencased list of procedures to be followed before takeoff and after landing.
Well, why in hell didnt you give that to me earlier? she blazed. It would have made things much
simpler.
I thought it would just confuse you. I wanted your first time up in the air to be simple and fun.
Let me tell you, Judd Raven, I havent had this much fun since the night my car broke down on a
deserted highway and I had to figure out how to work a jack for the first time in my life! On second
thought, I had a lot more run that night because at least no one was around to yell at me!
I didnt yell at you! he shouted as he brought the Cessna to a smart stop beside the old hangar. I
was giving you directions.
Honor opened the door on her side of the cabin, unfastened her seat belt and jumped out onto the
pavement. You give directions with all the patience and finesse of a stampeding buffalo! I feel as if I
got trampled up there in the aid She plucked at her perspiration-dampened shirt. Just look at me. I
was a nervous wreck. Youre supposed to go slowly when you teach someone something so
complicated. Even my father had more patience when he taught me to drive a car and God knows he
never had much patience with me!
Im not your father, damn it! Judd finished shutting down the Cessna and leaped out onto the
pavement, striding around to confront her. This is something were going to do together. I want you
to be good at it. After all, my life is going to be in your hands during the times youre at the controls!
And what about your own neck? Dont you want to know what youre doing when youre up there?
And lets not forget the precious airplane, either, she came back roundly. We both know how you
feel about that Cessna. If I were to damage it
Id take a horsewhip to you if you ever damaged my airplane! he vowed in a thundering voice that
she had never before heard from him. Judd Raven was definitely not in full control of himself. He
faced her with his hands clenched into fists on his hips, dark eyes glaring and hard mouth set in a taut
line.
See what I mean? Honor nodded her head in defiant vindication. That proves it. You care more
about the damned airplane than you do anything else, including my feelings! You dont shout at that

Cessna the way youre shouting at me!

A few of the men who had been hanging around the field when Judd and Honor had arrived began
taking an interest in the brawl that seemed to be developing before their very eyes. Lounging against
the old metal frame of the hangar building, they pulled their caps down low over their eyes and
watched in growing amusement
If I hadnt shouted at you a couple of times up there you would have tried to kill us! Judd rasped
furiously.
I respond much better to calm, polite instructions. But you never tried that technique, did you? From
the moment we got in the plane you began hammering away at me, telling me what to do.
Well someone had to tell you what to do! What did you think? That you were going to get into the
plane and fly it all by yourself without any help?
I needed a little professional instruction. Not a lot of yelling and screaming! I knew this was a bad
idea. I knew it this morning when you first suggested it, but I was willing to give it a try. Let me tell
you something, Judd Raven. You may find all this a lot of fun but to me it was sheer torture!
Furthermore, the way I feel right now I dont ever intend to get back into the cockpit of ah airplane
with you again. At least not until you learn a little self-control in the air!
Honor! Judd abruptly slid a seething glance toward the small gaggle of men hovering just within
earshot. Come on, lets go home. We can discuss this some other time! He reached out to grab her
arm but Honor stepped back hurriedly.
Oh, no, you dont! Im not even sure I want to get into a car with you right away! Who knows? You
may feel I need a little instruction in driving or something. I dont think my nerves could take much
more today!
Honor, youre being ridiculous! he grated and in the bright desert sunlight she could have sworn
that the high bones of his cheeks were stained with red.
Was she embarrassing him in front of his fellow pilots? Honor wondered, relishing the prospect of a
little revenge. After all, Judd deserved some recompense for what he had just put her through in the
Cessna. Tell me what else you do for fun around here, she invited scathingly, gesturing vaguely at
the rest of the airfield. Dogfights over Albuquerque? Near-misses with some of the commercial lines
landing at the big airport in town? Do you give tourists hair-raising flights over the mountains? Boy,
this world of flying sure is some fun! A laugh a minute!
Damn it, Honor! Judd stepped toward her. The glitter in his eyes should have warned her, but
Honor plunged on recklessly.
You sure had a good idea when you decided to take me flying this morning, Judd. I want you to know
that I shall never forget the experience. I can see right now what a real togetherness sort of sport this
is. What I want to know is, at what point do I get to start yelling at you? Or is that always going to be

a one-way street? Will I always be the one who gets yelled at because Ill always be the one with the
last experience? Im going to tell you right now, Judd, that doesnt sound like a whole lot of fun to
me!
At that moment she suddenly realized shed pushed him too far. Judd moved, swooping down on her
with the speed and coordination of his namesake.
Judd! Stop it!
In the next instant she was over his shoulder and being hauled unceremoniously toward the waiting
jeep. After the initial shock, laughter began to well up inside her. Did he think she was defeated? She
still had a couple of shots left and she meant to take them.
Do you know what hes doing? she asked, calling out to me grinning men by the hangar. Hes
playing a game. Its the only game he knows. Judd has a very limited repertoire, you see. Actually he
didnt know any games at all until I taught him this one. Its called Taming the Shrew. One of these
days Im going to teach him another sort of game. Maybe something to do with cards. Checkers
perhaps, she went on musingly as Judd reached the jeep and tossed her lightly down onto the seat
She subsided in a grinning heap of tousled femininity as he climbed into the seat beside her and
swiveled to face her with an expression that threatened disaster.
What the hell are you laughing at? he gritted.
You.
You enjoyed that little scene back there in front of those men?
Well, it had its moments. And you have to admit I deserved something for the treatment Id taken up
there in the air, she told him complacently.
He glowered at her for a split second and then something unfamiliar appeared in the depths of his
eyes, an expression Honor had only seen once before in Judd. The other time had been when hed
dunked her and his shirts into the stream. Judds gaze was actually mirroring rueful laughter.
You were madder than a wet hen by the time we landed, werent you? he finally asked slowly.
Judd, you started yelling at me before we even got off the ground! Sitting with you through half an
hour of your instruction would be enough to put most people off flying for lifer
Was it really that bad? he asked wistfully.
It was.
He shook his head wryly. It worked both ways you know. I was a nervous wreck by the time we got
back on the ground. Ive never tried to teach someone to fly before. All of a sudden I have a lot more
respect for professional instructors. But, Honor, I honestly didnt intend for things to wind up this
way.

I know. You wanted me to have fun.

Thats exactly what I wanted. I thought if you learned to love flying youd want to spend more time
with me. But the only part you enjoyed was yelling at me after we got back down, wasnt it?
Suddenly Honor couldnt resist the overwhelming urge to offer some reassurance. Judd, she
murmured, impulsively putting her hand on his arm, teaching someone to fly is like teaching someone
to drive. You shouldnt even attempt it if youre too close to the other person. It takes a certain
professional distance. That much is obvious. If you really want me to learn to fly youd be better off
lining up a certified flight instructor for me and turning me over to him for the basics.
He searched her face. I got the feeling you werent ever going to go up again. At least not willingly.
People say a lot of things in the heat of battle, she said offhandedly. Things they may not mean to
be taken literally.
Youd still be willing to try learning? If someone else were to do the teaching, that is?
She shrugged. I might be willing to give it a shot.
He hesitated, the fingers of one bronzed hand lightly tapping the wheel in an uncharacteristic
movement. Theres just one thing, Honor.
Ummm?
Even if you got your license and even if you got very good in the air, every time you went up with me
Id still be the pilot in command. Im too used to being in charge of my own plane. Id let you do
some of the flying but I cant guarantee I wouldnt still yell at you from time to time.
Ill just bet you cant guarantee it.
He frowned. That doesnt bother you?
Not as long as I get a chance to yell back once were on the ground, she said, grinning.
Like you did a few minutes ago? Hell, Im not sure I could take too much of that! Those guys are
going to be laughing their fool heads off every time someone mentions this mornings little fiasco!
Keep it in mind when youre yelling at me in the air.
That sounds suspiciously like blackmail to me.
Yes, it does, doesnt it?
He paused again and Honor knew he was trying to work something through in his head. Do you
really think the lesson didnt work out because Im too close to you? he finally asked quietly.

Im sure of it, she retorted dryly. And she knew it was the truth. Whatever the status of their
relationship there was no way of denying that the relationship, itself, existed. They were not mere
acquaintances. They were a man and a woman who had been through several dramatic, emotional
days together.
Judd stared at her for a long moment and then drew a deep breath. In that case, I guess I dont mind
so much that everything went haywire this morning. If youre feeling that close to me already, maybe
were making some progress.
Progress toward what, Judd? she asked very soberly.
Toward becoming friends.
Is that really what you want from me? Friendship?
You know damn good and well its not all I want, but its part of it. He threw open the door of the
jeep again and jumped out. Come on, Im going to have to face this sooner or later so I might as well
get it over with as fast as possible. He took her arm and started resolutely back toward the hangar.
Where are we going now? she asked in confusion.
Im going to introduce you to a few of the guys who have planes here at the field. The audience in
front of which you just performed so brilliantly, he added in a laconic drawl. I know theyll be
dying of curiosity.
Honor arched an eyebrow. Curiosity about me? You dont often take women flying?
No, he said shortly, I dont.
Honor took pleasure in that information. By the time Judd had drawn her near the hangar and had
begun making introductions she was smiling quite brilliantly.
Pleased to meetcha, maam.
Take it you had an interesting flight, Miss Knight?
We dont often see Judd, here, so excited, so to speak. You must have given him a real nice tour of
Albuquerque from the air.
Judd interrupted at this point to note blandly, She scared the living daylights out of me. But shes got
good instincts. With a little training shell make a good pilot.
Thought you looked a trifle green when you got out of the plane, Judd, one of the men noted
commiseratingly. And I know I aint never heard you yell at anyone like that before. Especially a
female!
Judd took the ribbing with surprisingly good grace. Honor, who forgot she should have been asking

for help in escaping from him instead of wasting time taunting her captor, found herself laughing out
loud more than once. It was very obvious Judd wasnt accustomed to being the center of so much
teasing attention. The fact that he was tolerating it now did not go unnoticed by the surrounding men.
You thinking of giving the little lady any more lessons, Judd? asked one wearing the overalls of a
crop duster.
I think any more lessons from me would have us at each others throats before we could get the plane
back on the ground, Judd admitted blandly, glancing at Honor. I found out this morning that you
cant give lessons to someone if youre too close to her, you see.
Got a point there, another man observed. Tried to teach my wife to fly. Nearly drove us to the
divorce courts. Farm her out to a professional instructor. Much easier on your nerves, Judd.
The funny thing is, the crop duster said with a glance at Judd, I never even suspected that Raven
had nerves. Not until I saw him leap out of that plane and start yelling at the little lady here a few
minutes ago.
He lost his temper, Honor explained far too kindly. Her eyes were brimming with laughter as she
looked at Judd.
Another first. Never saw Raven lose his temper before, either the crop duster mused with a wide
grin. You must really have a powerful effect on him, maam.
Judd lifted one dark brow with an air of cool superiority. Honor and I tend to rile each other on
occasion. Its because were so close, I suppose.
Not quite as close as he and the Cessna are, naturally, Honor interposed dryly. But, then, I realize
thats a very special sort of relationship.
Judds eyes narrowed as the others chuckled in appreciation, and for an instant Honor wished shed
kept her mouth shut. From the very beginning Judd hadnt liked her caustic remarks about his
relationship with the plane.
Then quite suddenly he was laughing. Honor stood staring in absolute amazement, realizing it was the
only time she had ever heard him laugh. It was a deep, warm, vibrant sound that seemed to come from
far down in his chest and it did something strange and wonderful to her senses. A moment later, she
was joining him, and for the first time since she had met him Honor knew the fundamental pleasure of
laughing out loud with the man she loved.

CHAPTER TEN

She loved him. Honor cautiously absorbed the information into her system as if it were a potentially
dangerous narcotic. She loved Judd Raven. Shed probably been in love with him ever since that first
time they had slept together in Mexico. Perhaps earlier. The knowledge explained so much: why she
had been so angry the morning he had announced he was taking her back to the States, her strange
sense of vulnerability around him, and the unbelievable gladness she had experienced when he did
something as simple as sharing her laughter.
Honor? Judds questioning voice interrupted her thoughts as they drove back down the road from
the airfield.
Hmmmm? The warm wind whipped her hair as the jeep swept along the highway. She didnt look
at him.
What are you thinking? Youve been awfully quiet for a while, he complained gruffly. Are you
still upset about the flying lesson? he added uneasily.
No. I was thinking of something else, she responded evenly. I was thinking about how long Ill be
staying here with you in Albuquerque.
There was silence from the drivers seat for a critical minute and then Judd asked with surprising
calm, And how long is that?

Four days. She turned her head to look at him. Thats how long you gave me down in Mexico,
Judd. Four days. I owe you my life. If you hadnt gotten me out of Mexico, sooner or later Garrison
and Prager would have sent someone who might have had fewer scruples than you did. I cant repay
you for my life so Ill give you the four days you originally granted me. Fair enough? It was an
ultimatum of sorts and they both knew it. Honor waited uneasily for his reaction.
Judd slid her a cool, unreadable glance. Well talk about it at the end of the four days.
As a response it was a little unsatisfactory, but Honor told herself she was dealing with a
complicated situation and a complex man. She mustnt expect Judd to react in predictable,
conventional ways. He lived by his own rules. Where are we going now? she asked as coolly as
possible.
To the store. The bacon and toast was the last edible stuff I had in the house.
Four days, he thought, aware of a sudden sensation of being trapped; of time running out. Four days.

She was right. It was what he had given her down in Mexico. There was a certain justice to the
ultimatum but he refused to tell himself he would abide by it. Four days was so little time!
He had known from the beginning that he couldnt really keep her long against her will. They both
knew it. But he needed time. Was this how she had felt down in Mexico when she had been frantically
trying to convince him that she was in real danger? Judd realized abruptly that he was gritting his
teeth and forced himself to relax. Hed taken it one day at a time and at the end of the four days hed
see where matters stood. It shouldnt be so hard. He was accustomed to taking things as they came,
wasnt he?
The hard part was going to be leaving her alone at night. How the hell was he going to be able to keep
his hands off her for the next three nights? The brandy bottle hadnt done him much good last night.
It was finally old-fashioned willpower that he used that evening. It took more self-control than Judd
had been forced to exercise for a long time but he managed. to let Honor go off to bed alone after a
quiet dinner and an even quieter evening sitting in front of the fireplace.
Then he sat by himself, gazing into the flames, and wondered why he had bothered to build the fire. It
was really too warm for one. Somehow hed thought it might seem romantic to Honor, though.
Shed seemed content to just sit curled like a cat in front of it, however, hardly saying a word the
whole evening. Maybe fires werent conducive to conversation. Shed talked plenty down in Mexico
without the aid of a fire, he reminded himself. Maybe fires made her pensive and untalkative.
Tomorrow night hed have to try something else. Hed rather have her yelling at him than quiet and
withdrawn as she had been tonight.
Why wasnt she asking him questions the way she had during the evenings in Mexico? Why didnt she
tell him about herself? How did you get a woman to talk to you? Hed never actually worried about
the problem before, Judd knew. Women just sort of came and went in his life. Hed never thought
much about trying to make one stay. In his mind he conjured up an image of the cozy conversation
Honor had appeared to be having with her friend in Phoenix the previous evening. The guy in the
three-piece suit hadnt seemed to have much trouble talking to Honor or getting her to talk to him.
Judd tried to remember if he had ever even owned a three-piece suit. If he had he couldnt recall it.
His hand tightened around the brandy snifter. He wasnt going to rely on the brandy tonight, he told
himself. He was simply having a nightcap. That was all.
The flames flickered and began to die on the hearth as he watched broodingly. What else had the guy
in the three-piece suit done to get Honor to talk so readily? Inspiration dawned so suddenly, Judd
blinked. Honors friend had taken her out on a real date. Hed taken her to a cocktail lounge,
danced with her and was probably planning to have dinner with her later. Then the friend
undoubtedly had planned to take her home and make one hell of a heavy pass. Judds eyes narrowed
coldly as he followed the logic of the situation to its most likely conclusion. For a moment he felt like
strangling the handsome friend in the three-piece suit.
There was no point torturing himself with thoughts of another man kissing Honor. Judd reminded

himself that he had taken her away before anything like that could happen. Slowly he relaxed his
fingers around the brandy snifter. He had to think about tomorrow, especially tomorrow evening.
When it came to something as crucial as this he was not above taking lessons from a pro. If inviting
Honor out on a real date was what worked for the guy in the three-piece suit, then Judd was willing to
try it, too.

He broached the subject the next morning over breakfast, trying to keep it casual. He didnt dare let
her know how desperate he was feeling. I thought we could spend the day taking in some of
Albuquerque. Maybe go to Old Town and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Then, this evening
theres a restaurant I know that has great steaks. Would you like that? It has a lounge and we can
dance.
Honor looked up from her grapefruit. Can you dance?
Judd wondered if she was teasing him. Was that deliberate mischief in her eyes? He was not always
able to tell. Im a little out of practice but I think I can get by, he told her roughly. He hoped. Out of
practice was putting it mildly. He hadnt taken a woman out dancing in years. Judd looked down at
his grapefruit and decided he really must be considered something of an outright bore by the female of
the species.
I think, Honor said from the other side of the table, that sounds like a very nice idea. Id like to go
out for dinner and dancing this evening.
An incredible sensation of relief was Judds first reaction. She was going to give him a chance after
all. Now all he had to do was figure out how to get her back into her conversational mood, the one
where she asked him questions and seemed genuinely interested in his life.
Fortunately the sightseeing in the restored Old Town section of Albuquerque provided some stimulus
for discussion, as did the Pueblo Cultural Center. Judd was exceedingly grateful for it.
Ive lived here for years and I hardly ever get down here, he remarked as they strolled through the
shops and galleries of the restored area of the city. Albuquerque had been founded in 1706, and this
part of town had been redone to recreate that early era. The Spanish colonial influence was rich and
lasting.
When did you move to Albuquerque? Honor asked idly, stopping to examine a pottery vase filled
with huge dried flowers.
Judd frowned behind her. Should he buy the vase and flowers for her? Did she really want them?
Perhaps they were only a passing interest. I came here about five years ago after I decided to set up
the ferrying business.
Where did you live before that? she asked, going on to explore a row of kachina dolls.
Finally! She was starting to talk. Now all he had to do was keep up his end of the conversation.
Should he offer to buy one of the kachina dolls? Here and there. Hell, what kind of an answer was

that? Desperately he tried to think of a more informative response. I, uh, spent a lot of my time in
South America before that. Technically I guess you could say I lived in Tucson. I used to keep an
apartment there, at any rate. What now?
Why did you spend so much time south of the border? Honor picked up a small, carved wooden
horse.
I know my way around that part of the world and people used to hire me to fly stuff there. Judds
voice trailed off lamely as he tried to think of a way to explain the nomadic, rough-and-ready
existence hed led for so many years.
What sort of stuff?
He tried to think. Maybe shed like the toy horse as a souvenir. Did women want souvenirs of a
kidnapping? he asked himself wryly. Medicine, supplies, food. Whatever. If the money was right, Id
fly it.
Have you always been for sale, Judd? she asked softly, lifting her eyes to meet his.
Sudden rage overwhelmed his good intentions. This woman could send him over the edge faster than
anyone he had ever met in his life. Its called working for a living, damn it!
You just made it a policy not to ask too many questions when you accepted a job, right?
He fought down the tide of anger. If he exploded now hed lose her. There would be nothing he could
do to catch her here and carry her home. There was a cop not twenty feet away. All she had to do was
start screaming.
Judd reached out and yanked the toy horse out of her hand. As she stared at him in astonishment he
turned on his heel and walked toward the nearest cashier. Wordlessly he paid for the toy and then he
thrust the paper bag which now contained it into Honors fingers. Here. A souvenir. Lets go
She trailed obediently after him as he led the way back to where he had parked the jeep. She walked
right past the cop without so much as a murmur, but there was no more conversation to be had from
her until they reached his home. Then all she said was, What time are we going out tonight?
Six. He watched unhappily as she nodded and went to her room. It was two hours until six. Was she
going to stay in there the whole time? At least down in Mexico that shack of hers had been too small
to provide her any privacy. She had been forced to stay in the same room with him nearly all the time.
With a sigh Judd went into his own bedroom and pulled open the closet door. Somewhere, probably
buried way in the back, he had a jacket and tie. Not a three-piece suit, but a jacket and tie that sort of
went together after a fashion. Gloomily he began searching for them.
In her own room Honor stretched out the process of getting ready for the big date as long as possible.
She took an extended bath instead of a shower, brushed her hair until it shone, and then she slowly put
on the yellow dress she had been wearing the night Judd had abducted her. After trying a variety of
knots and twists she elected to leave her hair loose around her shoulders. When she had finished she

still had nearly forty-five minutes to kill until six oclock.

It was no use. Unless she intended to spend the time sitting alone in her room, she was going to have
to emerge and deal with Judd. Her eyes went to the paper bag containing the toy horse, and in spite of
herself she smiled. Poor Judd. He wasnt accustomed to giving presents. Impulsively she opened the
door and walked out into the living room.
He was standing at the window, staring out at the surrounding desert, a drink in his hand. For a long
moment Honor just stared and then she smiled slowly. I hardly recognized you.
He swung around, dark gaze taking in the picture she made in her vivid yellow-and-purple dress. She
felt the heat of his eyes as if it were a palpable sensation, and a small, expectant shiver ran through
her nerve endings. All this man had to do to kindle the longing was to look at her. She loved him. She
had fallen for a ruthless mercenary who knew nothing of the gentle, sensitive side of life, a man who
didnt know the meaning of unequivocal trust, who didnt believe in romanticizing the basic
relationship between men and women. A man who didnt understand love. How could she have been
so foolish?
How could she have prevented the inevitable, though? There were some things in life, Honor had
learned during the past few weeks, over which a woman had little control. It was fate that had sent
her to Garrison and Pragers office that night in Hong Kong and it was fate that had brought Judd
Raven into Mexico searching for her. The whole chain of events was far too complex to unravel now.
She was enmeshed in the net they had created, tied to the kind of man she would never even have met
in the normal course of events.
She realized that this was the first time she had ever, seen him dressed in anything besides black
denims and dark shirts. This evening he actually had on a pair of slacks, a well-cut tan jacket and a
muted tie. His dark hair was still damp from the shower and brushed back off his forehead. Honor
experienced a strong urge to run her fingers through the carefully combed hair. Perhaps it was simply
a strong urge to touch him, period.
;

Youre ready early, he said quietly, his eyes still resting on her slender figure.
Yes.
He seemed vaguely uncertain for a moment and then he set down his drink with a restless movement.
Well, then, why dont we be on our way? We can have a sun-downer drink at the restaurant before
dinner.
Honor nodded, gaining the distinct impression he was anxious to get her out of the house. It was as if
he didnt know quite what to do with her.
Ive put the top up on the jeep, he said as they walked outside, so your hair wont get mussed.
Thank you she said politely, aware that his eyes were lingering now on her hair. She knew he
wanted to reach out and touch it and wondered why he didnt do exactly that. The restlessness in him

was unnerving. Judd always seemed so very sure of himself.

The restaurant he had chosen was warm and inviting. There was a pleasant intimacy about the rustic
southwestern decor. The lounge was beginning to fill up with the cocktail crowd, but Judd managed to
find a small corner table.
I havent been here in a long time, he began apologetically. I hope the food is still good.
Good heavens! Now he was worrying about the food. Honor smiled a little distantly and sipped at
that margarita he had ordered for her. What was the matter with Judd this evening? He acted as if he
were trying to walk on eggshells. I take it you dont get out much? she hazarded dryly.
He gave her a sharp glance and then shrugged. Does it show?
A little.
I admit that taking a woman out on a real date doesnt come as naturally to me as it seemed to come
to your friend in Phoenix, he muttered, looking down at his margarita. Im more at home in a sleazy
Mexican cantina, I suppose.
It wasnt a sleazy cantina! Everyone was very nice to me there, she protested, smiling.
He closed his eyes briefly as if counting to ten and then opened them to give her a very level stare.
You dont know how damn lucky you were to flit through that part of Mexico all by yourself without
any major disasters.
At the time I thought the only disaster that had befallen me was having you show up.
***
Judd studied her composed expression and she wondered if he could read anything at all in her face.
She hoped not He seemed to gather himself for the next question, as if he werent sure he wanted to
hear her answer.
Do you still consider my arrival a disaster?
She hesitated and then said smoothly, It all worked out for the best in the end, didnt it? Id still be
down there, cowering every time a stranger showed up in the village, if it hadnt been for you.
Judging by the brooding stare he gave her, that wasnt quite what he had wanted to hear.
Honor, if I had it to do over again he began grimly and then let the sentence trail off into
nothingness.
Yes? If you had it to do over again, what would you do differently? she prodded curiously.

He sighed. Nothing. Given the same set of circumstances, I probably would behave in exactly the
same way. I would have taken me job because it paid well and I would have wound up trying to sort
out the truth of the situation in my own fashion instead of romantically declaring myself your
unquestioning champion, right or wrong.
She sipped her drink. Well, thats honest, at least.
Ive tried to be honest with you from the first.
Yes, you have. You behaved very reasonably in Mexico, Judd. I was the one who was
unreasonable. If he could be honest, so could she. I read far too much into what happened between
us that night. And you were perfectly right when you accused me of romanticizing the situation. Ive
always been something of a romantic, I guess. That was one of the reasons I came to Arizona.
It was? He appeared to want to say something else, something about her confession that she had
been in the wrong, but Honor got the impression he didnt know how to phrase it.
Ummm. I moved to the Southwest because I find the desert and the mountains spectacular. And I love
the blend of cultures in this part of the country. I grew up in the Northeast, but for as long as I can
remember theres been a certain pull about this part of the country.
Your family? Do they still live in the Northeast? he asked.
She hesitated and then nodded. Oh, yes, they still live there. I dont see much of them, she admitted.
I didnt really fit in. Thats an odd thing to say, isnt it? That you didnt fit into your own family?
Why didnt you?
She lifted one shoulder uneasily. Something to do with the whole lifestyle. My father is a banker and
my mother is very New England, if you know what I mean. I always played with the right children,
went to the right schools. I was quite a little preppy monster there for a time. She chuckled
reminiscently. But as I grew older I grew more and more restless. I knew I wasnt going to marry the
right man and become a community-conscious corporate wife. I began to feel trapped. So after I
graduated from college I fled to the Southwest. My romantic escape!
You didnt go to your parents when you found yourself in trouble, Judd noted coolly.
Honor shook her head emphatically. They would have thought I was a raving lunatic. Just as you
did. He winced but she didnt bother to soothe his conscience. In any event I couldnt deliberately
bring Garrison and Prager down on them, could I? I had no right to put my parents in jeopardy.
There was a silence and then Judd said quietly, You mean you didnt even feel close enough to your
parents to be sure they would believe you?
Honor bit her lip as she acknowledged his surprisingly accurate assessment of the situation. No.
My God he breathed. Youre really on your own, arent you? In spite of having a family.

I suppose you could say that, she agreed slowly. What about you, Judd? Do your parents know
how you make your living?
His mouth twisted in wry amusement. My mother gave me up for adoption when I was two years old.
I have no idea what she thinks about my career. Lord knows who my father was.
Honors mood was suddenly softened by compassion. Were you adopted, then?
Im told I was a difficult child, he murmured dryly. In any event I never seemed to last too long in
the various homes where the agency tried to place me. No, I never got myself adopted. I guess I gave
everyone a lot of trouble until I was fifteen. Then I discovered airports. I started hanging out around
the field near town and conned a pilot into taking me up for a ride. After my first flight I knew what I
was going to do with the rest of my life. As soon as I got my license I started taking any job that
would keep me in airplane fuel.
I guess I can see now why you never got married, Honor heard herself say wistfully. What woman
could compete with your love of flying?
His voice hardened. In spite of what you seem to think is some sort of unnatural relationship
between me and my plane, I am capable of a few other interests in life!
Such as a good steak? she challenged with a mischievous smile. Or a glass of tequila?
Belatedly he saw the laughter in her and answered with a crooked smile. Exactly, he said very
smoothly. Shall we go into the restaurant and eat? I seem to have worked up an appetite.
Is it such an effort to keep your fingers from going around my throat?
He grinned, a slow, laughter-filled grin that reached his eyes. You know me so very well, he
murmured, getting to his feet and taking her hand.
They say you never really know a man until hes tried to teach you flying, she quipped.
Who says that?
Oh, I dont know. Surely any number of women who have known pilots, she answered vaguely.
The mood for dinner seemed to have been established. Somehow the conversation began to flow
more freely after that, enlivened by Honors natural propensity to tease and Judds equally natural
tendency to react to her mockery.
The words began to come so easily to him that Judd found himself wondering how he could ever have
been worried. Hell, it was obvious that under the right circumstances he was a fantastic
conversationalist. Almost as good as the guy in the three-piece suit. The right circumstances, though,
seemed to be limited to being with the right woman. It was only Honor to whom he could imagine
himself talking so fluently. He found himself telling her about his first solo landing, the times he had
flown into incredibly narrow jungle landing strips, the strange people he had worked for off and on

through the years and a lot more that he had never told anyone else.
During the course of the evening his rampant curiosity about Honor led him, in turn, to ask one
question after another. He learned more about the fierce independence that animated her, finding it an
odd complement to the equally strong romantic side of her nature. She fascinated him, and at last he
was beginning to understand some of the reasons why.
It was after dinner that he remembered he had promised her an opportunity to dance in the lounge. He
had a pang of regret at the rashness of the offer but then recalled that it would give him a perfect
chance to hold her in his arms for a while. That thought consoled him as he wondered if he was going
to make a fool of himself on the floor. It had been so long.
Honor went into his arms without any such concerns. Any man as coordinated and intrinsically
graceful as Judd Raven would just naturally have to be a good dancer. She was right. He held her a
little too close but other than that there was no real problem. She wasnt in a mood to try a lot of
fancy steps anyway. The slow, romantic music was just what she wanted that night.
Judds hand seemed to glide along the length of her spine, urging her closer with each step. Honor
found herself relaxing against him, her head nestled on his shoulder and the warm, masculine scent of
him filling her nostrils. Here on the floor, wrapped in his arms and the music, she found it was easy to
forget the uneasy nature of their relationship. Why was it so simple to forget the past and the future
whenever she found herself in Judds arms? It must have something to do with the limited vision of
love. Or perhaps it was just that love set its own priorities.
Conversation lagged again while they were dancing, but this time it was a comfortable silence.
Thinking about the Cessna? she joked after a while. Wondering if its all tucked in for the night?
Actually I was thinking about what it would be like to tuck you in for the night, Judd retorted gently.
His hand slipped to the curve of her hip and he felt the tiny shiver that went through her. Instantly his
grip tightened until she was pressed close against the hard line of his thighs.
But youre not going to find out, are you? she asked, trying to keep her tone light and wicked. I
seem to recall a certain vow you made to keep your hands off me for the next couple of days. And we
all know about your amazing self-control Oh! She gasped as he came to a halt in the middle of the
floor.
You should know by now that you have the power to make me forget all about my self-control, he
muttered thickly. His hands settled at her waist and he lowered his head to find her mouth.
She could feel the imprint his strong fingers were leaving on her skin and the room spun as he crushed
her mouth with avid hunger. Around them the other dancers moved like shadows. Honors arms crept
up to circle Judds neck and she sighed very softly,
Slowly he began to move them once more to the subtle beat of the music, his mouth lingering on hers.
Honor?

Ummm? She stirred languidly in his grasp.

I dont think Im going to be able to live up to my promise tonight, he growled huskily against her
cheek. His hands flexed at her waist as if he badly wanted to touch her bare skin. Will you let me
take you home and make love to you?
Do I have a choice? she whispered, trembling a little at the urgency of his tone.
He hesitated and then said bluntly, No, not if I can help it. God, I want you, woman. Please dont
fight me. Judd lifted his head and stared down at her with glittering obsidian eyes that seemed to
burn into her soul. Let me take you home and make you mine. Im going out of my head just thinking
about the feel of you under me, the way you turn to flame when I touch you. I cant
Judd, stop it! she cried softly, her knees growing weak under the spell of his undoubted passion.
You mustnt talk like that. Not here on a dance floor, for heavens sake! But she knew he had
already felt her reaction. How could she stop him tonight when she could feel the rising desire
coursing through her veins? She was in love with this man. She would probably never be able to stop
him from making love to her whenever he chose.
Then lets get out of here, Judd said briskly, dropping his hands from her waist and taking her
wrist. He started toward the door.
Wait a minute! Were supposed to be on a date. You promised me dancing and a lovely evening and
everything! She tried unsuccessfully to free her fingers from his grasp but he had her out the door.
You already know damn good and well Im not the romantic type! he growled as he pulled her
toward the parked jeep.
Then what type are you? she demanded.
He spun around when he reached the jeep, his expression relentless and urgent. Honor, dont play
games with me tonight. I want you and I know you want me. I could feel you trembling back mere on
the dance floor. And surely to God you know what you do to me!
She turned her face up, the moonlight making her look very pale in the velvet darkness. You havent
answered my question, Judd, she said evenly. What type of man are you?
I dont know what the hell you mean by that! You know exactly what type of man I am. Im the same
man I was when you pointed a gun at me that first night in Mexico. Im the damned mercenary who
accepted the contract to find you and bring you out of Mexico. Two thousand dollars plus expenses,
remember? Im the guy who spent the morning yelling at you in the cockpit of an airplane. Im the man
who kidnapped you from your home in Phoenix. I am not romantic. There are a few things in my past
that wont stand up very well to close scrutiny. I dont always understand your sense of humor and
your parents would probably collapse in shock if they ever met me. But, by God, I want you, Honor
Knight, and Im going to do whatever I have to do to keep you. Is that very clear?
Honor felt her soft, romantic mood slipping away in the face of his unexpected harshness. Why are

you yelling at me? Weve had a lovely evening so far and now youre raining it!
;

Im trying to put things in perspective. I want you to know exactly where I stand. Im sorry if Im
ruining the evening but I seem to make a habit of doing that, dont I? Entertaining a woman for an
evening isnt my forte.
But yanking her home and taking her to bed is? Youre pretty fundamental in your outlook on life,
arent you, Judd? You just do as you damn well please. You fly your plane, make a few bucks now
and then off jobs you dont question too thoroughly, drink a little tequila and occasionally, when it
suits your mood, take a woman to bed.
He stared stonily down at her for a long instant. Youre trying to make me lose my temper, arent
you? he finally asked. Why, I wonder?
Maybe because when you lose your temper you seem almost human, she whispered throatily.
They stood searching each others faces beneath the cold glare of the parking-lot light, and then Judd
opened the door of the jeep and pushed her gently inside. Come on, Honor. Were going home.
To bed? she demanded tightly.
To talk. I think we need to talk a little more tonight. He got in beside her and started the engine.
Without a word he pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street
The drive to his home was one of the longest of Honors life. She alternated between hope and
despair. Every time she thought she had made some progress toward reaching Judd on an emotional
level things seemed to collapse. Right now she had no idea of the mood he was in. Was he angry?
Was he still feeling passionate? It didnt matter, because he was back in full control of himself and
during those times she felt locked out as solidly as if he had slammed a door in her face. It seemed to
Honor that she had been trying to open that door ever since she had met him.
The house was dark, just as they had left it, and when Judd killed the engine Honor automatically
reached for her own door handle. She was feeling increasingly nervous about what lay ahead, a part
of her longing to resolve the tense situation between herself and the complex man she loved. But
another part of her warned that she might not like the resolution. At least while things were uncertain
there was hope.
As Judd reached for the keys in his pocket he realized his hand was shaking a little and the knowledge
irritated him. Right now a lot of things irritated him. Everything had been going so perfectly. Why had
he gone and ruined it all by dragging Honor off the dance floor? Was he never going to learn?
Maybe it was the pressure of that damned time limit she had given him. Four days. And he only had a
couple left. They had to talk tonight. He had to make her understand that he couldnt just let her walk
away from him.
Afterward, he decided it was because he was concentrating so hard on how to handle Honor that he

failed to react to the situation inside the house until it was much too late. On the other hand, he told
himself grimly, there wasnt a whole hell of a lot he could have done.
He simply hadnt been expecting to open the front door and find Nick Prager sitting in his living room
holding a gun.
Well, well, Mr. Raven. Its about time you got home. Ive been waiting for you for two hours.
Nicks cool gray eyes switched to Honor, who stood quite still beside Judd. So now I know what
happened to you, honey. Ive been wondering.
What the hell do you want with us? Judd asked coldly.
Isnt it obvious? I need someone to fly me over the border. I managed to slip into the country on a
fake passport but I seem to be having a little trouble finding a way out. Then I remembered that youre
always available for hire if the price is right, Mr. Raven. Believe me, tonight the price is going to be
most attractive. Fifty thousand dollars for a few hours of your time. For that kind of money Fm sure
you wont mind throwing Miss Knight into the bargain, will you? I have a small score to settle with
her.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Fifty thousand?
Honor heard Judd repeat the figure as he calmly turned and closed the door. Then he lounged back
against it, his arms folded across his chest, midnight eyes focused on the handsome face of his
uninvited visitor. Honor watched the two men as if she were a rabbit in the presence of two
predators: a raven and a snake. She eyed Nick Pragers well-groomed brown hair, expensive
business suit and smooth countenance, and wondered how she could ever have dated the snake. At
least with the raven you knew right where you stood.
You heard right, Raven. Fifty thousand. Nick smiled with chilling satisfaction. The hand holding the
gun never wavered. Interested?
Judd didnt move. You have the money on you?
Nick patted a small suitcase standing beside the chair in which he was sitting. Right here.
How far into Mexico?
Some place I can catch a commercial jet liner, Nick said easily. The Mexican authorities wont be
on the look out for me. Once I get back to Hong Kong Ill have no more problems. I have friends
there. What do you say, Raven? Nick waved the gun in a small arc, calling attention to it. Then he
smiled again. Shall we do business together?
I generally dont work well when Im looking down the wrong end of a gun, Judd drawled.
I understand, but you see Im a little nervous lately. Ever since my partner experienced a problem
tying up some loose ends, Ive felt more comfortable carrying this unpleasant piece of metal. Tell me,
what did go wrong on the assignment we gave you, Judd? Nick glanced at Honor in mild disgust.
Did the little bitch offer you more than we did? Or did you find her so good in bed you couldnt bear
to give her up to Leo? I always wondered what she would be like in the sack. I had intended to find
out in Hong Kong but things didnt quite work out, did they, Honor? Leo and I knew youd flown
home to Phoenix, but it took us a while to find out that youd slipped over the border into Mexico.
But when you did you went right out and hired Judd to find me, didnt you? That was quite a story
you gave him, Nick, about being my brother. Leo played the distraught father, I gather.
The tale was a little weak in places but we understood from our sources that it wasnt Mr. Ravens
practice to ask too many questions if the price was right. I had to return to Hong Kong to finish some

business there, so after we lined Raven up I left the country. Nick swung his sardonic gaze back to
the quiet man leaning against the door. You should have told us that we werent offering enough,
Raven. Leo and I would have been willing to pay much more for Honor.
You offered enough. I did what I was paid to do. I brought her out of Mexico. It was at Garrisons
end that things went wrong. The Feds got him before I could complete the contract.
And just how did the Feds get onto Leo? Nick mused icily. Were they the ones who made the
better offer? Are you playing both sides of the street, Raven?
Its not too profitable these days, Judd murmured dryly. What with Federal budget cutbacks,
government contacts just dont pay like they once did.
Then what the hell went wrong, Raven? Why was Leo picked up? Why did my connection warn me
about using my real passport to get into the country? Come on, dont tell me you and Honor didnt
have a hand in that somewhere!
The information I got was that the Feds have been watching you and Garrison for some time. They
closed in at about the same time I was bringing Honor out of Mexico.
Quite a coincidence. Nick shot a scathing glance at Honors tense face. So why did you hang on to
Miss Knight? Just trying to salvage something from an otherwise busted deal?
Honor took her courage in both hands, making a desperate effort to keep her voice as cool as that of
the predators in the room. When Garrison wasnt able to pay off, Mr. Raven suddenly found himself
open to other offers. I made him a good one.
Really? Nick eyed her skeptically. What are you paying him for?
Isnt it obvious? To protect me from you. I knew youd be coming after me eventually, Nick.
Mr. Raven, it seems, has had a lot of business lately.
But not much in the way of cold cash, Judd interposed flatly. The economy being what it is these
days, Ive decided on a general policy of getting the money up front. Im sure, being a businessman
yourself, you can understand my reasoning.
Nick used the toe of his shoe to nudge the suitcase around where he could reach it with his free hand.
Without taking his eyes off Judd and keeping the gun unwaveringly pointed at him, Nick leaned over
and flipped open the locks. When he raised the lid of the case several neatly bound bundles of
currency came into view. Up-front money, Mr. Raven. Far more than Miss Knight could possibly
afford. When I got news of Leos arrest I came back to close out the companys U.S. bank account.
Its all in cash, and fifty thousand of it is yours. How soon can we leave for Mexico?
Honor held her breath, watching Judds eyes go briefly to the stacks of money and then lift to meet
Nicks waiting gaze. Just as soon as you like, Prager. For that kind of cash Im always at your
service, he said softly.

Nick nodded grimly. I had a hunch that might be the case.

But I still dont like working with a gun at my head.
I cant blame you, but you must see that Ive got to be a bit cautious. Im in a somewhat precarious
position as long as Im on this side of the border. Im afraid Ill have to hang on to the gun for a
while.
And the money? Judd glanced at the suitcase as Nick closed and locked it.
It will be with us in the plane. I shall leave your share behind when I get out in Mexico. At that point
I will also take Miss Knight off your hands. Youre probably growing tired of her by now anyway,
hmmm?
Honor felt a chill race down her spine as she glanced at Judds impassive face. But he said nothing,
merely pushed himself away from the door. He didnt look at Honor as he reached around to open it
again. Lets go. Its getting late.
Excellent, Raven. Im in something of a hurry myself. Prager got to his feet and picked up the
suitcase. Then he motioned with the gun. Come along, Honor. I know youre an incurable romantic
but youre going to have to accept a few facts of life. One of them is that to someone like Mr. Raven
fifty grand is going to speak a lot louder than a toss in the hay. Move.
Unwillingly Honors gaze dropped to the suitcase in the gunmans hand. Fifty thousand dollars. She
wondered how often in his career Judd had received an offer of that magnitude. Probably seldom. She
swallowed awkwardly and then-turned toward the door. Judd stood waiting, his expression as
emotionless and unreadable as it had ever been. His gaze slid away from her as he pulled a set of
keys out of his pocket.
I have a rental car parked at the back of the house, Nick said calmly as he shepherded the other two
outside. Might as well leave it there since the jeep is handier. You sit in front beside Raven, Honor.
Ill get in the back so that I can keep an eye on both of you.
The drive to the deserted airfield was made in taut silence. The whistling of the night wind through
the open window was the only sound. When they reached the field Judd parked the jeep near the old
hangar. In the moonlight the row of small private planes stood like a pack of night creatures on the
tarmac.
Ill have to turn on the runway lights. Judd was already striding toward the tiny office housed at the
entrance of the hangar.
All right Follow him, Honor. Stay where I can keep, track of both of you or 1 wont wait until we
reach Mexico before I settle my score with you. Prager motioned once more with the gun.
Honor shivered as moonlight glanced along the black metallic barrel of the weapon and then
obediently turned to follow Judd. At the entrance to the office she watched in silence as Judd flipped
a switch. Out on the runway two long rows of lights blinked into existence.

Will the lights attract attention at this time of night? Prager demanded uneasily.
Judd shook his head once. No. If anyone notices hell just assume someones practicing a little night
flying. Happens all the time. Are you ready?
Im ready. Honor will ride in front with you again, I think. Ill take the back seat.
Judd nodded, saying nothing, and started out to the waiting Cessna. Honor trailed along behind him,
terrifyingly aware of the gun pointed at her back. Her fingers were already beginning to tremble, she
realized distantly. Nervously she watched Judd go through his preflight check and then Prager was
ordering her into the plane.
Ten minutes later, with Prager still holding his gun and sitting behind Honor, Judd lifted the Cessna
off the runway into the night sky over Albuquerque. He shot a glance at Honors stark expression and
then concentrated on his flying. There was nothing he could say or do to soothe her now. Shed been
through a hell of a lot because of that bastard in the back seat and there was more to come before the
night was over. One gutsy lady.
He let the plane climb rapidly, seeking plenty of altitude. The field elevation was a little over five
thousand feet which meant he needed a bit above ten. He watched the needle slip past the numbers on
the altimeter, seventy-five hundred, eight thousand.
What was Honor thinking? Was she remembering the sight of all that money in the suitcase and
wondering how much fifty thousand would mean to a mercenary who never asked too many questions
about the jobs he accepted? Eighty-five hundred feet. Nine thousand.
She was frightened but she was in control, he realized. Just as she had been in control of her fear that
night when hed found her in the cantina in Mexico. He remembered his own feelings that night as he
had stared at her through the smoke of die noisy cantina. After a week of looking hed finally found
the woman in the photograph and the reality was even more intriguing than the image. Shed been
scared but defiant and shed kept her head, trying to bribe him and then, later, trying to use the gun.
Hed never forget listening to her slowly remove the cheap weapon from the bedside drawer. After
hed found the bullets hed been curious to see whether or not shed have the nerve to try the gun. And
then he recalled the way she had hurled herself at him in frustrated fury and the way she had felt
beneath him when hed finally succeeded in subduing her. It had required all his willpower not to
take her that night. Hed wanted her so badly.
The altimeter needle passed ninety-five hundred feet. Other images flashed in Judds mind, memories
of the way Honor had taunted him that day beside the stream until he had finally realized she was
playing with him; memories of the way she had responded to him in bed.
And now she sat beside him wondering if he was going to wind up being her executioner after all.
Ninety-nine hundred feet

Quite suddenly Judd realized exactly how Honor must have felt the morning after he had first made
love to her. He knew because right now he wanted her to have complete faith in him. Just as she had
wanted him to have complete trust in her that morning. He didnt want her waiting to see if hed take
the money. He didnt want her wondering whether fifty thousand dollars meant more than having her
in his bed. He didnt want her to take a wait-and-see attitude while the logic of the situation
developed.
He wanted complete, unequivocal trust from her. Judds hands tightened on the wheel.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw moonlight glint off the gun barrel in Pragers hand. The altimeter
needle passed through ten thousand. Ten thousand should be enough. He eased back on the throttle and
slowly brought up the Cessnas nose. The little plane began to slow. He applied more back pressure
on the wheel and the Cessna began to fight him, seeking a level attitude.
Honor glanced at him and he saw her grip the edge of her seat. Did she realize what was happening?
There was no time to wonder what was going through her head now. Judd eased the wheel back
farther and the airspeed fell off drastically as the nose of the plane climbed past the horizon.
Hey, what the hells going on? Finally Nick Prager began to realize something was wrong.
Judd felt the shudder that preceded the stall. An instant later the stall took hold.
Raven! Damn it, whats happening? There was an element of panic in Pragers voice as the Cessna
stalled. Whats wrong?
Judd kicked in the right rudder and the plane turned almost lazily into a right spin as the nose dropped
sickening downward. Prager yelled as a split second later the sprinkling of lights on the desert floor
began to whirl dizzily beneath them. The Cessna spun violently toward the ground.
Raven! Pragers tone was now filled with panic. Raven, stop it!
Honor said nothing. She clutched the edges of her seat and sat staring stonily through the windshield
as the plane spun downward.
Raven watched his instruments, counting spins and altitude. Hand the gun over to Honor, Prager. I
told you I dont do my best work when Ive got a weapon pointed at my head.
Damn you! What the hell kind of game are you playing? Prager screamed in violent fear. Ill kill
you both!
In that case theres no real incentive for me to bring this plane out of the spin, is there?
Raven! Listen to me! Fifty thousand dollars, man. Ill make it a hundred thousand!
Ill listen to the money, but not to the gun. Hand it to Honor.
The plane went through another revolution and the lights below swung around in a way that was

bound to make anyones stomach churn. Judd saw Honor unclench one of her hands and extend it back
toward Prager.
The gun, Nick, she gritted. Give me the gun or hell send us all into the ground. Believe me, hes a
lot better at playing chicken than you are.
Hand over the gun and then well talk about the money Im going to get for this little assignment,
Judd said calmly. He didnt have a whole lot more time. The ground was approaching at a terrifying
rate.
All right! All right, shes got the gun, now stop this crazy game! Prager slapped the ugly weapon
into Honors hand and her fingers closed convulsively around it.
You have it, Honor? Judd didnt look at her. His eyes were on the instruments.
Ive got it, she whispered tightly.
Okay, hang on.
As gently as possible Judd eased off on the back pressure he had been applying to the wheel and
added opposite rudder. The Cessna obediently neutralized itself. The sickening spin halted. Now the
plane was simply plunging headfirst toward the desert floor without the added effects of the spinning.
Raven! Prager was screaming as it became obvious they were in a headlong dive.
Honor didnt say a word. Slowly Judd eased the craft out of the dive, bringing the nose up very
gently. No sense ruining things now by doing this part too fast and pulling off the wings! The effects of
gravity asserted themselves as the plane came up and out of the dive. Judd felt the familiar G forces
sucking him down into his seat and wished hed had time to tell Honor what to expect. She must be
absolutely terrified by this point. Prager certainly was.
My God, Raven, Nick Prager whispered from the back seat as the Cessna leveled off. Youre a
bastard. A real, cold bastard. I wasnt going to cheat you out of the money, I fully intended to hand
over the fifty thousand. His eyes slitted as he watched Honor turn in her seat and point his gun at
him. And Ill still make it a hundred thousand if youll take another contract out on Miss Knight
here.
Another contract? Judd asked, checking for nighttime landmarks on the desert below. The lights of
the airfield should be coming up at about one oclock.
This time I want her dead, Prager hissed.
Oh, for heavens sake, Nick, dont sound so melodramatic. Honor smiled. And dont waste your
breath. Judd isnt going to take your fifty thousand to fly you into Mexico. He doesnt do that sort of
work anymore. And hes not going to take the extra fifty for killing me, either. Hes in love with me.
She saw the thunderstruck expression on Judds face as he shot her a startled glance but Honor kept

her attention on Prager. The gun in her hand was as unwavering as it had been when he held it. In that
moment she didnt think it would bother her at all to use it.
In love with you! Prager spat violently. Dont be such a dumb little bitch. Judd Raven will do
anything if the moneys right!
Not quite, Honor said gently. You really dont know him very well, do you?
I know his reputation!
Which is somewhat exaggerated, Im afraid. Honor chuckled. Hes got business ethics, you see.
Scruples. You wouldnt understand about that sort of thing, Nick. But Im afraid youre going to have
to accept the fact that there are some things Judd Raven wont do for money.
Prager shot her a fulminating look and then pinned his desperate glance on Judds set profile. All
right, so dont kill her if shes that good in bed. You can have the full hundred grand for the trip to
Mexico.
Forget it, Nick. Honor sighed. Judds not a true mercenary. I cant imagine why so many people
have the wrong idea about him.
Judd cleared his throat, started to say something, broke off and then tried again just as he brought the
Cessna into the downwind leg of a landing pattern. I expect, he finally managed in a very soft
voice, its because most people arent close to me. They dont know me as well as you do.
That must be it, Honor replied cheerfully. But, then, Im in love with you and that makes a
difference.
Judd gave his full concentration to his landing. It was one of the most difficult of his life for some odd
reason. Strange. Hed done plenty of night landings under far worse circumstances.
What are we going to do with Prager? Honor inquired conversationally as the Cessna rolled to a
halt.
Were going to phone Maddock and ask what he wants done with him, Judd replied tersely,
unlatching the Cessna door.
He made the phone call, remembering to reverse the charges, and found Maddock at home.
Youve got him in Albuquerque? Craig Maddock demanded, plainly astonished. We knew he
snuck past us getting into the country but we lost track of him two days ago.
He wanted to be flown into Mexico, Judd explained. Seemed to think Id do the job.
He could almost see Maddocks eyebrows climb skyward. And you werent interested?
Ive, uh, got a new business partner, Judd drawled, his eyes seeking Honors face. She vets my

jobs these days. She decided we wouldnt take this one.

I see. Maddock chuckled on the other end. Well, Ill get someone to take him off your hands before
you change your mind. Theres a man in the Albuquerque office I can call. Where are you now? Judd
told him. Okay, stay where you are. Well have someone out there as soon as possible. Oh, and
Judd
Yeah?
Watch yourself. Pragers as nasty as they come.
I didnt know you cared.
Its not you Im worrying about, Maddock growled. Its your new business partner. She seems to
be a good influence on you. He hung up the phone before Judd could slam his receiver down.
What now? Honor asked brightly. She had turned the gun over to Judd, who was keeping it idly
trained on a sullen Prager.
Now we wait. Maddocks sending someone to pick him up.
Honor seated herself on the old metal desk and swung her feet gently. She didnt look at Judd. What
an interesting evening this turned out to be.
Didnt it, though? he murmured. Fascinating
And once again Honor couldnt tell a thing about what he was thinking. They spent much of the
waiting period in silence, neither of them making any real effort to break it. Of course, Honor assured
herself, Nick Pragers presence made it difficult to conduct a private conversation.
Still, by the time the Albuquerque authorities had come to collect Nick, Honor was beginning to feel
slightly apprehensive. Judd hadnt spoken at all in the past twenty minutes and he seemed relieved
when the official car arrived outside the hangar.
Come on, Prager, your rides here. The destination wont be Mexico, but thats the breaks. On your
feet.
Honor waited quietly while the exchange was made. The two government men from the Albuquerque
office were cool and competent. Judd talked to them in low tones for a few minutes and then, before
Honor was quite ready, the car drove off with Prager and his new escorts. She was alone with Judd.
He came slowly back into the small office, his dark eyes finding her instantly as he paused in the
doorway. She thought he was looking at her very much the way he had looked at her that first night in
the cantina. And she felt once again that atavistic chill that warned of the presence of the hunter.
For a long moment they stared at each other in utter silence. Then Judd asked quietly, Were you
frightened when I put the Cessna into a spin? There wasnt time to warn you.

Its quite a dramatic maneuver, isnt it? she murmured dryly. Actually, all things considered,
youre probably lucky I didnt throw up all over your precious plane.
His face softened. I would have forgiven you under the circumstances.
Her mouth curved softly. That would have been very understanding of you.
Ill be willing to forgive you just about anything if youll repeat what you said in the plane. He was
watching her so intently Honor found herself gripping the edge of the desk.
About not being a true mercenary? she whispered. Youre not, you know. Ive known that from the
beginning. A real dyed-in-the-wool mercenary type would have handed me over to Garrison without
a qualm. A genuine mercenary wouldnt have given me those four extra days in Mexico. And dont
forget, I knew from the first that you had some ethics. Remember how you turned down my bribe?
That wasnt all you said in the Cessna, he reminded her slowly. You said something about loving
me.
Oh, that Her smile widened and her green-and-gold eyes were filled with gentleness.
Yes, that. Honor, did you mean it? he rasped. He didnt move from his position in the doorway.
Every line of his body was taut and poised as if he were about to take wing.
I meant it.
He stared at her. Honor, I didntI wasnt what you wanted me to be that first morning after we
went to bed together. I didnt give you the complete trust and faith that you wanted; that you
deserved
No. You gave me your protection, instead. Have you ever looked after someone the way you looked
after me, Judd? she asked whimsically.
He shook his head, saying nothing. His silence was eloquent enough-Honor slid off the desk and took
a step toward him. You didnt know anything at all about love so its understandable.
Whats understandable?
That you didnt recognize the first signs of it in yourself. She took another step. Offering me your
protection was equivalent to another mans profession of undying love and devotion. It was my fault
that I didnt realize it at the time. I suppose its because I was so upset and frightened. I had
romanticized that night, Judd. But I had no right to assume you would do the same. What I should have
seen was the evidence of how much our night together had meant to you, too. I should have understood
that by the way you handled things the next morning. You were intent on taking care of me.
You hated me the next morning when I didnt react the way you wanted me to react, he got out
savagely. His dark eyes were glittering with the violence of the feelings he was holding in check. He
lifted a hand as Honor came a step nearer. Then he appeared to realize it was shaking a little and he

lowered it quickly. Honor, you were so warm and sweet and giving that night. All I did was take.
She shook her head. No, Judd. You gave, too, but I was too wrapped up in my own hurt and
disappointment the next morning to acknowledge it. You kept saying I belonged to you.
He winced. I didnt phrase that very well, did I?
It was properly phrased. For you. Honor smiled again. It just wasnt quite the attitude I had been
expecting. Now I know that you were reaching out to me in the only way you could. The only way you
knew how to reach out to a woman. Have you ever told another woman she belonged to you?
No. I never wanted another woman the way I want you, he returned starkly.
You see? It was your instinctive way of extending another bond between us, but I was a little slow in
seeing it. You were determined to protect me, to claim me and I should have realized how much that
meant.
When did you realize it? This time Judd managed to get his hands to the level of Honors shoulders.
His fingers still shook a little but he had them more or less under control as he slid his palms up under
her hair to cup her face.
There was no blinding moment of understanding, she admitted. I suppose Nicks total
misconception of you did serve to put it all in perspective tonight, though. It amazed me that he
actually thought youd take his money to kill me.
You knew Id do no such thing?
Of course I knew that. She touched his hands with her own as she stood looking up at him. Her eyes
were brimming with her love. Were very close, remember? And were growing closer each day.
Someday, Judd Raven, youre going to wake up and realize youre in love with me.
Oh, God, Honor! He pulled her nearer and some of the emotion that had been swirling in his dark
eyes began to seep out in the form of tears. When Honor touched them with wondering fingertips he
groaned and wrapped her fiercely against him. Sweetheart, Im a little slow, but Im not that slow.
You dont have to wait for me to come to some grand realization. I know damn good and well that Im
in love with you. Nothing else could explain the way I feel. Nothing! I ache, honey. I cant even bear
to think of losing you. I would never have been able to let you go when the four days you gave me ran
out.
Judd, darling, please dont cry, she breathed shakily.
Why not? Ive tried a lot of other emotions out on you. Youve made me laugh and youve made me
lose my temper and youve made me hunger for you with a passion Ive never known before. Why
shouldnt I try a few tears?
Oh, Judd!

I love you, Honor. I love you, I love you, I love you! He buried his face in her hair, dampening her
cheeks with his tears and repeated the words in wonder.
You couldnt love me any more than I love you, darling Judd. And then Honors tears were
mingling with his own.
They held each other for a long, long time and then Judd took Honor home to bed. There was silence
between them during the drive but this time there was understanding underlying the silence.
This has been the longest night of my life, Judd whispered as he gathered Honor close in the fourposter bed an hour later. Ive never given a damn whether or not someone trusted me or believed in
me before this evening. When I realized that was what I wanted from you 1 finally understood what
you meant that morning in Mexico.
Honor reached up for him, her eyes soft with love. No more talking, darling. Just love me.
Maybe youre right, he murmured deeply. Verbal communication doesnt seem to be one of my
strong points.
I wouldnt say that. Youre getting better every day, Honor teased. I think you have the talent, you
just didnt get much practice with the Cessna!

CHAPTER TWELVE

Less than a week later Honor woke up to find herself again in bed and again in Mexico. She leaned
back against the pillows and surveyed the luxurious resort-hotel suite. This was no shack in a poor
village. It was an elegant hotel on the tip of Baja. And she was a married woman on her honeymoon.
Judd had been very insistent on marriage.
Im not going to spend the rest of my life being accused of kidnapping, he had declared forcefully.
But, darling, youre so good at it, Honor had replied blithely. Oh, well, at least this will give me a
certain status over your plane, wont it? I mean, you cant marry an airplane under the laws of the
state of New Mexico.
I wonder if New Mexico ever got around to outlawing wife-beating? Judd had mused.
Honor was remembering that remark when the door to the bathroom opened and her husband emerged
wearing only a towel rather carelessly knotted around his lean hips. What are you laughing at? he
demanded. His eyes moved over her as he crossed the room to sit down beside her on the bed.
Your interest in the wife-beating laws of New Mexico.
Oh, yes, I must remember to check on them when we get back. Being a husband does entail certain
responsibilities. He leaned over her with mocking menace, imprisoning her slender body between
his hands.
Honor blinked and then decided that it was, indeed, mock menace. Judd was still learning about
things like play and the kind of teasing that went on between lovers. There were occasions, however,
when Honor found that playing games with a bird of prey could still be a slightly uncertain business.
Ah, well, I suppose it adds spice, she murmured half to herself.
What does? He leaned closer, apparently fascinated with her mouth.
Never knowing for sure if youre playing or if youre quite serious. She chuckled. You can be
rather intimidating, Judd.
But youre not afraid of me, are you? he asked in satisfaction. He trailed one finger down the line of
her throat to where the hem of the sheet covered her breasts. Ive never wanted you to be afraid of
me. I didnt like the look in your eyes that first night when I found you in the cantina. Id been looking
for you a solid week, pretending to everyone I met that you were my runaway wife. When I finally
found you I had this idiotic notion that you did somehow belong to me. And I didnt want you afraid of

me.
He leaned down and kissed her lingeringly, letting his fingers slide beneath the hem of the sheet as he
did so. Slowly, tantalizingly he let his hand wander farther as he lazily explored her mouth with his
own.
Honor stirred beneath the deepening caress. Judd?
Hmmm? He slowly began to lower the sheet.
You dont mind having a a business partner?
From all accounts youve got a terrific head for business. Im looking forward to having you for a
business partner. He began to nibble the side of her throat. The clients are going to love you
You realize I wont be letting you accept any more questionable jobs from people like Craig
Maddock or Garrison and Prager? Honor began to thread her fingers through the raven-dark depths
of his hair. Her body began to feel warm and receptive.
Theres not a lot of money in running a ferrying operation or doing charter work, he warned
absently. He tugged the sheet down below her breasts and found the hardening peak of one nipple
with his palm.
Well build up the business, she told him confidently. In a few years well have other pilots
working for us and well have a solid reputation.
Whatever you say. He smiled as he felt her breast tighten under his touch. His dark eyes lit with a
lambent flame.
And if that doesnt work I can always get a job in Albuquerque, Honor said hastily.
He chuckled softly. Things arent going to get that bad. The ferrying business turns a steady profit. If
we add a few more pilots to the staff we can keep ourselves in food and tequila. And you and I will
have plenty of time to play, he added, sounding pleased.
Youre getting pretty good at that She sighed blissfully. Is tomorrow the day we fly over the
village and give everyone a ride in the Cessna?
Is that all right with you?
Oh, yes. Im looking forward to seeing our old haunts again. So romantic, dont you think? You can
buy me a drink in the cantina and we can spend the night in that little cottage.
Ummm. But this time I wont be sleeping on me damned floor!
And I wont be trying to pull a gun on you in the middle of the night. Do you think well be bored?
Honor laughed softly.

Judd grinned. Boredom has not been a big factor in my life since I met you. He reached out and
deliberately pulled the sheet all the way down to her ankles. You seem to have forgotten to put on
your nightgown, he observed blandly.
So I did. Shall I go and get it?
Dont you dare move, he drawled. His hand flattened on her stomach and slid lazily down to her
thigh.
Honor felt the rising tension in him and knew it was mirrored in herself. I love you, Judd, she
whispered. The humor faded from her eyes to be replaced by passion.
You couldnt love me any more than I love you. The laughter had left his dark eyes, too, and she
could read the desire that took its place.
I used to spend a lot of time wondering what you were thinking, she confided, running her hands in
small, intimate circles across his bare shoulders.
And now you seem to be able to read my mind.
Weve become very close, she said simply.
I like being close to you, Honor Knight Raven. He slipped off his towel and stretched out beside
her. Ive never experienced anything else like it in the whole world. He reached out and pulled her
toward him, his hand curving lovingly around her hips. Then Judd took her mouth once more, his arm
extending behind her head.
Honor moaned as the fires began to burn in her blood. Her fingers splayed against his chest and her
legs flexed to curve between his. Judd, oh, Judd! She moved her hand down the broad planes of his
chest to the hard line of his thigh and then she pushed at him gently, urging him over onto his back.
Judd fell against the pillows willingly, a warmly passionate smile edging his mouth as Honor leaned
over him. Ah, sweetheart, you make me feel so alive, he breathed as she began to rain tiny kisses
down the length of his body. He pushed his fingers through her hair, delighting in the texture of it as
she gently made love to him. Alive and happy. Thats how you make me feel, honey.
She gloried in the response of his body, delighting in the surging strength of his manhood as he stirred
beneath her touch. The feel of his hair-roughed skin made her moan softly. Her teeth sank tantalizingly
into his thigh.
Take me, Honor, he growled, his hands going to her waist. Come here and take me. Youre
driving me wild. He lifted her effortlessly, settling her astride his hips.
Honor felt his hands moving on her as she knelt above him and she knew a restless, hungry urge to
make Judd lose control completely. She loved it when he seemed to be unable to withstand the
temptation of her. Eagerly she sought to tease and torment him until he groaned beneath her. Hands
fluttering lightly over his skin she set a heady rhythm with her body, one he was obliged to follow.

Youre a witch, he murmured huskily, midnight eyes flaming darkly. You know I cant resist you.
No? She smiled down at him with dreamy wickedness.
Are you going to tease me all night long?
Yes, I think so. I like teasing you.
You have since the beginning, havent you? he accused thickly.
You respond so well to teasing, she murmured and deliberately ran her fingers through the curling
hair on his chest. Beneath her his hips arched upward, trying to force the pace of the slow
lovemaking. But Honor stayed firmly in control.
Sweetheart, put me out of my torment, He reached up to pull her closer but still she resisted. My
God, I want you so!
This is a new game I just invented. Honor slowed the pace still further, well aware of his mounting
frustration.
Raven-baiting? he mocked heavily. Dont you know I always win when we play games? He
twisted beneath her.
Judd! No, wait! But it was too late. Honor found herself flat on her back being crushed deeply into
the bedding as Judd stretched out along the length of her. His gentle aggression sent a thrilling
excitement through her and she was helpless to halt the loving assault.
Part your lips for me, honey, he ordered roughly as he lowered his head.
Wordlessly she obeyed, loving the taste of him. Her arms wrapped around the bold contours of his
back and she sighed into his throat.
Now part your legs for me, he growled.
She felt the fierce surge of satisfaction and anticipation in him as she again obeyed. He came into her
with a passionate ferocity that made the breath catch in her chest for an instant. Then she was caught
up in the swift, spiraling climb to the heights.
There was no other bird that could master a raven in the air, she remembered dimly. And she was
held tightly in her ravens talons. Faster and faster they flew until the warm lightning caught them
both. Then they clung together through the slow, languorous descent. All the way to the ground Honor
heard her name on Judds lips. It was spoken with reverence and love and happiness and sheer,
masculine possession.
Honors eyes flickered open to find Judd propped on his elbow beside her, gazing down at her lovesoftened body. There was deep contentment and a trace of loving amusement in the hard lines of his
face. His fingers idly stroked the scar on the inside of her wrist.

Honor, he vowed huskily, Im going to do my best to make you happy. I know things started off
badly between us and I know Im not the kind of man you always dreamed of falling in love with but
Ill
She put up a hand, covering his mouth and stopping the words. Her eyes smiled lovingly. Are you
worried about not being romantic enough for me?
He nodded mutely.
She grinned. Dont you know how marvelously romantic it is for a woman to be abducted by the man
she loves?
He looked taken aback. It is?
Definitely. Well have to do it every other year on our anniversary.
That sounds like an interesting sort of game, he decided, his eyes full of laughter.
One you should excel at Youre a born hunter. A bird of prey.
Ummm, maybe, but I think I prefer what happens after I get my hands on you to the hunt itself. Making
love to you is a much more enjoyable pastime than hunting you down.
Judd leaned over and emphasized his words with a slow, possessive kiss and Honor gave herself up
in complete trust to the embrace of the raven she had gentled.
THE END
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